The Tong-Tài dialects, part of the Jiang-Huái Mandarin group, are situated in the Tàizhou region of Jiangsu, north of the Yangtze watershed. They represent the southernmost boundary of the Mandarin dialect area, adjacent to the Wú dialect region. Notably complex, these dialects offer significant insights into the history of Mandarin and Chinese dialect phonology. Gù Qián from Nánjing University presents the most comprehensive study of this dialect group, based on extensive fieldwork. The work begins with an introduction to the geography, population, and history of the dialect area, followed by a review of historical studies related to the Tong-Tài dialects. Central to the research is a comparative analysis of Tong-Tài phonology, examining initial consonants, main vowels, endings, tones, and rhyme structure. Additionally, the book provides a detailed overview of the common phonological system of Tong-Tài, referencing Middle Chinese and situating it within the broader context of Mandarin. Appendices include a thorough inventory of Tong-Tài morphosyllables and an extensive lexicon of unique forms and words from these dialects. ISBN 9783862886258 (Hardbound). LINCOM Studies in Asian Linguistics 84. 400pp. 2015.
