Project description
A closer look at the linguistic evolution of hybrid Chinese dialects
In China’s Gansu-Qinghai region, rare Chinese dialects, including Wutun and Zhoutun, have been influenced by other languages like Mongolic and Turkic. This influence has sparked debates among scholars. Complicating matters, similar features are found in dialects along the Yellow River, suggesting a broader linguistic continuum. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the LACONC project aims to untangle the intricate web of morphological alterations induced by Mongolic and Turkic languages. By scrutinising features like nominal case markers and pronominal forms, it seeks to pinpoint the diverse strata of Altaic influence within these dialects. The finding will demonstrate how these other languages impacted the dialects and track how they changed over time.
Objective
This project focusses on highly endangered hybrid Chinese dialects spoken in the Gansu-Qinghai aera, namely Wutun, Zhoutun, Gangou, Xining, Linxia and Tangwang, which are reputed to have been highly “Altaicised”. The main objective is to determine their position within the North-Western branch by identifying the different strata of Altaic influence found on the morphonological level. It aims at demonstrating the high degree of heterogeneity of certain specific features that are reputed to have been induced by contact with Mongolic and Turkic languages, namely nominal case markers, pronominal forms (third person and demonstratives) , and tense and aspectual markers. As several Mongolic languages are spoken by different minorities in this region, many scholars thought that these non-Sinitic traits have been induced through contacts with these populations and that a linguistic area has formed, leading to their areal diffusion. However, many of those are also found in dialects that have not been in direct contact with Altaic languages in recent time, including those spoken along the Yellow river spread between the Shanxi and Shaanxi regions. Therefore, a certain continuity between the dialects of these 2 regions exists, while secondary influence of Mongolic languages has further developed the changes in those dialects. By comparing this selection of forms, the project will 1. Document the typological diversity found in the hybrid Chinese dialects of the Gansu-Qinghai area (suggesting different source of borrowing or a different reanalysis process) 2. Link the contact-induced traits and forms identified in the Gansu-Qinghai hybrid dialects with those of the dialects spoken in he Shaanxi-Shanxi region. 3. Identify the different strata of Altaic influence in the hybrid dialects 4. Show that the secondary contact-induced features have been transferred through direct contacts with Mongolic languages, and that several isoglosses can be identified rather than a linguistic area
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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30123 VENEZIA
Italy
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