The Final System of Middle Chinese: Based on the Theory of the Division of Guttural Endings by the Labiality

Abstract

Rai (1953) categorized the guttural endings of Old Chinese into two groups, distinguished by the presence or absence of labiality. This theory has had wide impact. Rai (1956a) then applied the same concept to Middle Chinese, dividing its guttural endings into the same two categories. This paper, based on Hirayama’s (2006) final system discusses whether the labiality distinction can be used for all endings in Middle Chinese, attempts to systematize all finals, and finally propounds a new final system for Middle Chinese.