The Chinese Mandarin Phonological System of the Central Plains: A Collated Version

Delve into the intricate phonological tapestry of the Central Plains with "Chinese Mandarin Phonological System of the Central Plains: A Collated Version." Authored by renowned scholars Prof. Zhang Yu-lai and Dr. Geng Jun, this comprehensive volume presents the most updated and meticulously collated edition of the Zhongyuan Yinyun, a seminal rhyme and phonological work from the 14th century by Zhou Deqing. This book not only clarifies the formation and various editions of Zhongyuan Yinyun but also corrects historical inaccuracies, providing an indispensable resource for scholars of Chinese phonology, Yuan-dynasty poetry, and traditional opera. Beyond its academic rigor, it serves as a vital tool for traditional artists, including Peking and Kunqu opera performers. By bridging historical phonology with cultural heritage, this book opens a gateway to understanding the profound linguistic and cultural history of China, making it an essential addition to the libraries of linguists, historians, and enthusiasts of Chinese classical arts worldwide.

Prof. Zhang Yu-lai, male, born in 1963, is a doctoral supervisor, academic leader of Chinese Linguistics and Philology, dean of Linguistics Department, director of Institute of Chinese-Language History and editor-in-chief of Studies on Chinese-Language History and Sino-Tibetan Languages at Nanjing University. He is a scholar of Chinese-language history and other fields of the Chinese language. Dr. Geng Jun is now an associate professor at Southwest University. He is an influential young scholar and has published over 30 papers and 1 monograph (The Phonology of Yuan-dynasty Chinese).

Translators’ Note Collator’ s Preface Foreword Chinese Mandarin Phonological System of the Central Plains: A Collated Version Collation descriptions Prefaces to Zhongyuan Yinyun Preface by Yu Ji Preface by Ouyang Xuan Preface by Zhou Deqing Preface by Luo Zongxin Preface by Suofei Fuchu Table of contents of Zhongyuan Yinyun Zhongyuan Yinyun The Notes of Orthography and Metrical Patterns for the Northern Qu Poetry in Zhongyuan Yinyun Postscript of Zhongyuan Yinyun Jiang Ne’ an’ s Postscript of Zhongyuan Yinyun References An Index to the Rhyme Characters in Chinese Mandarin Phonological System of the Central Plains: A Collated Version Appendix I: The Musical Part of the Northern Qu Appendix II: A Contrastive List of Traditional and Simplified Chinese Characters Translators’ Acknowledgments