Analyse phonologique comparative entre le Xiang de Cenchuan et le Xiang de Changsha

This paper aims to present some special phonological phenomenons in a Sinitic language – the Cenchuan dialect. Belonging to the Xiang group, the Cenchuan dialect manifests some phonological characteristics which are rarely attested in this group. In order to explain these “atypical” features, we have conducted a phonological comparison between the Cenchuan dialect and a representative Xiang dialect — the Changsha dialect. We try to provide a plausible explanation for these special phonological features in Cenchuan by comparing it with Middle Chinese and other Sinitic languages in the same area in terms of consonantic, vocalic and tonal differences. Our hypothesis is that the phonological specialties of the Cenchuan dialect can be explained by the retention of Middle Chinese and the influences of other Sinitic languages.