A synchronic classification of Rukai dialects in Taiwan: A quantitative study of mutual intelligibility

This thesis investigates mutual intelligibility and synchronic relationship among five Rukai dialects in Taiwan (Formosa). Cheng's (1990, 1992a and 1992b) quantitative method for classifying Chinese dialects is adopted in this study. The mutual intelligibility at issue is systemic mutual intelligibility in Cheng's term, which is objectively calculated on the basis of linguistic correspondence patterns rather than subjectively determined by speakers' impression. While Chinese is known as a monosyllabic and isolating language, Rukai is multisyllabic and agglutinating. Cheng's method of classifying Chinese dialects is therefore slightly modified to account for Rukai synchronic relationship in terms of sound correspondences, stress patterns, semantic shifts and lexical sharing. A computer database was constructed based on the 861 words and variants collected by Li (1977a). Statistically speaking, the 861 words and variants constitutes population. In other words, conclusions are drawn on the basis of these words and variants.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Linguistics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Tu, Wen-Chiu

Contributors dc:contributor

• Cheng, Chin-Chuan

• Language, Linguistics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1994 Tu, Wen-Chiu

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9416445
(UMI)AAI9416445

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/23233