The influence of Cantonese on the yin entering tone of the Pearl River Delta dialects

Abstract

This paper describes and analyzes the changes of the entering tone of some representative dialects in the Pearl River Delta with a synchronic comparison. It aims to reveal the similarities, differences and interactions between those dialects, and to observe the changes of the less dominant dialects as they come into contact with the local dialects. It is found that after a long and close contact with Cantonese, several dialects in the Pearl River Delta have undergone a series of changes and adjustments in the entering tone. The result shows that the level of economic and cultural development is the crucial factor in determining the success of a dialect in language competition. On the other hand, the fact that less dominant dialects are gradually moving towards the dominant dialect demonstrates the impact of language contact on dialects. 以共时比较法来对珠江三角洲地区一些有代表性方言的入声变化作出描写分析，藉此了 解方言间的相似点、相异点与互动情形，以及弱势方言在当地语言接触下所产生的变化。本文 发现，珠江三角洲一带的几个方言的入声，在与广州话长期而密切地接触后，作出的一系列的 调整和演变，显示经济和文化的发展水平是一种方言在竞争中取得胜利的根本原因，而弱势方 言正逐渐向强势方言靠拢，展现了语言接触对方言音系的影响。