What is Xiang Chinese, and where is it primarily spoken?

Xiang Chinese, also known as Hunanese, is a group of linguistically similar and historically related Sinitic languages. It is spoken mainly in Hunan province, with significant presence in northern Guangxi and parts of neighboring Guizhou, Guangdong, Sichuan, Jiangxi, and Hubei provinces.

What is the linguistic classification of Xiang Chinese within the Sino-Tibetan language family?

Xiang Chinese belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family, specifically within the Sinitic branch, which also includes other major Chinese languages like Mandarin, Wu, and Min.

How many native speakers of Xiang Chinese were estimated in 2021?

As of 2021, Xiang Chinese had approximately 38 million native speakers.

Which subgroup of Xiang Chinese retains features of Middle Chinese obstruents, and what does this mean?

The Lou-Shao, or Old Xiang, subgroup retains the three-way distinction of Middle Chinese obstruents. This means it preserves the voiced stops, fricatives, and affricates, which have been lost or altered in many other Chinese varieties.

What external linguistic influences have significantly shaped Xiang Chinese?

Xiang Chinese has been heavily influenced by Mandarin Chinese, which borders it on three sides, and by Gan Chinese, due to historical migration from Jiangxi province into Hunan during the Ming dynasty.

What significant historical movements involved Xiang-speaking Hunanese people?

Xiang-speaking Hunanese people played important roles in several key reformatory and revolutionary movements in modern Chinese history, including the Self-Strengthening Movement, the Hundred Days' Reform, the Xinhai Revolution, and the Chinese Communist Revolution.

Can you name some prominent historical figures who spoke Xiang Chinese?

Notable historical figures who spoke Xiang Chinese include Mao Zedong, Zuo Zongtang, Huang Xing, and Ma Ying-jeou.

What is the linguistic debate surrounding the classification of Xiang Chinese?

Some historical linguists, such as W. South Coblin, have expressed doubt about grouping Xiang as a distinct taxonomic branch. However, counterarguments suggest that shared innovations can be identified within Xiang dialects.

What ancient tribes are thought to have inhabited the region before the Warring States period, and what is known about their languages?

Before the Warring States period, the region was inhabited by ancient tribes such as the Ba, Nanman, and Baiyue. The languages of these tribes cannot be studied today.

What language is considered the ancestor of modern Xiang Chinese, according to Yang Xiong's Fangyan?

According to Yang Xiong's *Fangyan*, the Southern Chu dialect spoken in the Changsha Kingdom region during the Qin and Han dynasties is considered the ancestor of modern Xiang Chinese.

What major migration event during the Tang dynasty influenced the linguistic landscape of Hunan?

During the Tang dynasty, a large-scale migration from the north to the south brought Middle Chinese into Hunan. Migrants primarily settled in northern and western Hunan, leading to these areas developing Mandarin dialects.

What linguistic changes related to Middle Chinese occurred in Hunan during the Tang dynasty?

During the Tang dynasty, Middle Chinese was introduced to Hunan. While some Middle Chinese words are still preserved in Xiang, the entering tone began to weaken in Hunan during this period.

What were the primary reasons for the significant emigration from Jiangxi to Hunan during the late Yuan and Ming dynasties?

Emigration from Jiangxi to Hunan during the late Yuan and Ming dynasties was driven by two main factors: overcrowding in Jiangxi, prompting people to seek new areas, and the severe population losses in Hunan due to the Mongol conquest of the Song dynasty and subsequent peasant uprisings.

How did Gan Chinese influence Xiang Chinese historically?

Gan Chinese, brought by settlers from Jiangxi province during the Ming dynasty, influenced Xiang Chinese. This influence contributed to the differentiation of speech in eastern Hunan into what is now known as New Xiang.

What is the classification of Xiang Chinese within the broader context of Chinese varieties, according to Yuan Jiahua?

According to Yuan Jiahua's classification in 1960, Xiang Chinese is considered one of the seven major groups of Chinese varieties.

How did Jerry Norman categorize Xiang Chinese in relation to other major Chinese language groups?

Jerry Norman classified Xiang, Gan, and Wu as central groups. He positioned them as intermediate between the Mandarin group to the north and the southern Chinese groups like Min, Hakka, and Yue.

What is a key phonological characteristic of Xiang languages concerning Middle Chinese voiced initials?

In Xiang languages, the voiced initials of Middle Chinese generally result in unaspirated voiceless initials in all tone categories. However, some varieties have retained voicing in certain tones.

What is the main distinction between 'New Xiang' and 'Old Xiang' dialects?

The primary distinction lies in the treatment of Middle Chinese voiced initials: 'New Xiang' dialects have lost voicing completely, while 'Old Xiang' dialects retain voiced initials in at least some tones.

Which Xiang dialect is typically used as a representative example for 'New Xiang'?

The Changsha dialect is usually taken as the representative example of 'New Xiang'.

Which Xiang dialect is typically used as a representative example for 'Old Xiang'?

The Shuangfeng dialect is typically used as the representative example of 'Old Xiang'.

How does Jerry Norman describe the linguistic boundary between New Xiang and Southwestern Mandarin?

Jerry Norman describes the boundary between New Xiang and Southwestern Mandarin as one of the weakest in China, noting considerable similarities between dialects on either side, although more distant dialects remain mutually unintelligible.

What alternative classification did Zhou Zhenhe and You Rujie propose for New Xiang dialects?

Unlike most other linguists, Zhou Zhenhe and You Rujie classified New Xiang dialects as part of Southwestern Mandarin.

How did the *Language Atlas of China* reclassify some of the previously identified Xiang subgroups?

The *Language Atlas of China* relabeled the New and Old Xiang groups as Chang-Yi and Lou-Shao, respectively. It also identified a third subgroup, Ji-Xu, in parts of Western Hunan.

What are the five subgroups of Xiang identified by Bao & Chen (2005), and what are their approximate speaker counts?

The five subgroups identified by Bao & Chen are: Chang-Yi (17.8 million speakers), Lou-Shao (11.5 million speakers), Chen-Xu Xiang (3.4 million speakers), Hengzhou Xiang (4.3 million speakers), and Yong-Quan Xiang (6.5 million speakers).

What is the status of the entering tone in Lou-Shao (Old Xiang) dialects compared to Chang-Yi (New Xiang) dialects?

In Lou-Shao dialects, the entering tone does not exist in most varieties, whereas in Chang-Yi dialects, most varieties retain the entering tone as a separate category.

In which Chinese provinces is Xiang Chinese spoken?

Xiang Chinese is spoken primarily in Hunan province, but also in northeastern Guangxi, and in parts of Guizhou, Guangdong, Sichuan, Jiangxi, and Hubei provinces.

Which specific counties in northeastern Guangxi are mentioned as areas where Xiang is spoken?

Xiang is spoken in the counties of Quanzhou, Guanyang, Ziyuan, Xing'an, and Longsheng in northeastern Guangxi province.

What languages are in contact with Xiang Chinese in West Hunan?

In West Hunan, Xiang Chinese is in contact with the Qo-Xiong Miao and Tujia languages.

According to the distribution table by Bao & Chen (2005), which cities and counties are associated with the Chang-Tan division of New Xiang?

The Chang-Tan division of New Xiang is associated with cities and counties such as Urban Changsha, Changsha County, Wangcheng District, Ningxiang, Liuyang, Urban Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou County, Urban Xiangtan, Xiangyin, Miluo, Nanxian, and Anxiang.

Which subgroup of Old Xiang includes cities like Lianyuan and Lengshuijiang?

The Lian-Mei division, part of the Old Xiang subgroup, includes Lianyuan, Lengshuijiang, Anhua, and Ningxiang.

Where are the Chen-Xu Xiang dialects primarily spoken, according to the distribution table?

Chen-Xu Xiang dialects are primarily spoken in areas including Chenxi, Xupu, Luxi, Jishou, Baojing, Huayuan, Guzhang, Yuanling, and Quanzhou County.

Which Xiang subgroup is associated with the cities of Yongzhou and Dong'an?

The Dong-Qi division, part of the Yong-Quan Xiang subgroup, is associated with Urban Yongzhou, Dong'an, Qiyang, and Qidong.

What does the asterisk (*) denote in the distribution table of Xiang subgroups?

An asterisk (*) in the distribution table indicates that a small part of the territory belongs to that specific Xiang subgroup.

What does the double asterisk (**) denote in the distribution table of Xiang subgroups?

A double asterisk (**) in the distribution table signifies that the mentioned location was included in that Xiang subgroup only according to the *Language Atlas of China*.

What is the ISO 639-3 code assigned to Xiang Chinese?

The ISO 639-3 code for Xiang Chinese is 'hsn'.

What is the Glottolog identifier for Xiang Chinese?

The Glottolog identifier for Xiang Chinese is 'xian1251'.

How is 'Xiang language' written in Traditional and Simplified Chinese characters?

In Traditional Chinese characters, it is written as 湘語, and in Simplified Chinese characters, it is written as 湘语.

What is the IPA pronunciation of Xiang Chinese provided in the infobox?

The IPA pronunciation of Xiang Chinese provided is [sian˧ y˦˩].

What is the relationship between the Xiang language and the Hunanese people?

Xiang Chinese is the language spoken by the Hunanese people, who are the primary ethnic group associated with the Hunan region.

What are the two main divisions of Xiang identified by Yuan Jiahua?

Yuan Jiahua divided Xiang into two main divisions: New Xiang, where voicing has been completely lost, and Old Xiang, which retains voiced initials in at least some tones.

What is the significance of the 'entering tone' in the classification of Xiang dialects?

The presence or absence of the entering tone is a significant feature used in classifying Xiang dialects, with New Xiang dialects generally retaining it as a separate category, while Old Xiang dialects often lack it.

What does the table 'Development of voiced initials in different tones' illustrate?

This table illustrates how Middle Chinese voiced initials have evolved differently across various Xiang dialects, showing changes such as the loss of voicing or the development of unaspirated voiceless initials.

In the table 'Development of voiced initials in different tones,' which dialects show a change from a voiced initial to an aspirated voiceless initial for the word 'peach'?

In the table, the Changsha dialect shows a change from the Middle Chinese voiced initial 'd' in 'peach' (daw) to an aspirated voiceless initial 't' (taɤ).

In the table 'Development of voiced initials in different tones,' what change occurs to the initial of 'sit' in the Shaoyang and Changsha dialects compared to Middle Chinese?

In the Shaoyang and Changsha dialects, the Middle Chinese voiced initial 'dz' in 'sit' (dzwaX) changes to an unaspirated voiceless initial 'ts' (tso) in both dialects.

What is the relationship between Xiang Chinese and the broader Sino-Tibetan language family?

Xiang Chinese is a branch within the Sinitic languages, which itself is a major division of the larger Sino-Tibetan language family.

What is the meaning of the Chinese characters 湘語 and 湘语?

The characters 湘語 (Traditional) and 湘语 (Simplified) are used to write 'Xiang language'.

What is the IPA pronunciation of Xiang Chinese provided in the context of Changsha dialect?

The IPA pronunciation for Changsha dialect of Xiang Chinese is provided as [tsoɤ]² for the word 'sit' and [koɤ]⁵ for the word 'together'.

What does the map of Hunan Province's dialects illustrate regarding the distribution of Xiang varieties?

The map shows the geographic distribution of Xiang dialects within Hunan, with New Xiang marked in orange, Old Xiang in yellow, and Chen-Xu Xiang in light red, alongside other dialects like Xiangnan Tuhua and Southwestern Mandarin.

What is the significance of the term 'Hunanese' in relation to Xiang Chinese?

'Hunanese' is another name for Xiang Chinese, reflecting its primary geographical concentration in Hunan province and its association with the Hunanese people.

What is the approximate number of speakers for the Yong-Quan Xiang subgroup?

The Yong-Quan Xiang subgroup has approximately 6.5 million speakers.

Xiang Chinese Wiki: Xiang Chinese: A Linguistic Exploration of Southern China

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Overview

Linguistic Identity

Xiang, also known as Hunanese, constitutes a group of linguistically similar and historically related Sinitic languages. It is primarily spoken in Hunan province, with significant presence in northern Guangxi and adjacent regions of Guizhou, Guangdong, Sichuan, Jiangxi, and Hubei provinces. With approximately 38 million speakers as of 2021, Xiang represents a vital linguistic branch within the broader Chinese language family.

Geographic Distribution

The core territory of Xiang speakers encompasses central and southwestern Hunan. Its influence extends into northern Guangxi and spills over into parts of Guizhou, Guangdong, Sichuan, Jiangxi, and Hubei provinces. This wide distribution reflects historical migration patterns and linguistic contact zones.

Ethnic Association

Xiang is intrinsically linked to the Hunanese people, who have historically played a significant role in modern Chinese history, particularly in reformist and revolutionary movements. Prominent figures such as Mao Zedong, Zuo Zongtang, Huang Xing, and Ma Ying-jeou are notable speakers of Xiang dialects.

Historical Trajectory

Ancient Roots

The linguistic origins of Xiang can be traced back to the dialects spoken by indigenous tribes and the subsequent migration of Chu people during the Warring States period. The language spoken in the Changsha region during the Qin and Han dynasties, identified as Southern Chu, is considered a precursor to modern Xiang Chinese.

Migrations and Influences

The Tang dynasty saw significant migration from northern China into Hunan, introducing Middle Chinese and influencing the local dialects. This period also marked the beginning of the weakening of the entering tone in Hunanese speech. Later migrations, particularly from Jiangxi during the Ming dynasty, introduced Gan Chinese influences, contributing to the differentiation of New Xiang dialects in eastern Hunan.

Dynastic Developments

The Yuan dynasty peasant uprisings caused significant population shifts and casualties in Hunan. The Ming dynasty witnessed large-scale migrations from Jiangxi, driven by both population pressure and economic opportunities. These migrations profoundly shaped the linguistic landscape, leading to the development of distinct Xiang dialects influenced by the incoming Gan speech.

Dialectal Landscape

Classification Frameworks

The classification of Xiang dialects has been a subject of scholarly discussion. Yuan Jiahua (1960) initially categorized Xiang into five subgroups: Lou-Shao (Old Xiang), Chang-Yi (New Xiang), Chen-Xu (or Ji-Xu), Hengzhou, and Yong-Quan. Later research by Bao & Chen (2005) refined this, identifying Chang-Yi, Lou-Shao, Chen-Xu, Hengzhou, and Yong-Quan as distinct subgroups, reflecting nuanced linguistic variations.

Key Dialectal Features

Old Xiang varieties, such as Lou-Shao, are noted for retaining the three-way distinction of Middle Chinese obstruents, including voiced stops and fricatives. In contrast, New Xiang dialects, represented by the Changsha dialect, have largely lost voicing. The influence of Mandarin and Gan Chinese has complicated dialectal boundaries and classifications.

The dialect map of Hunan province illustrates the distribution of Xiang subgroups:

New Xiang (Chang-Yi): Predominantly found in urban areas like Changsha and Yiyang.
Old Xiang (Lou-Shao): Characterized by features like retained voicing, found in regions such as Shuangfeng and Shaoyang.
Chen-Xu Xiang (Ji-Xu): Located in parts of western Hunan.
Hengzhou Xiang: Concentrated around Hengyang.
Yong-Quan Xiang: Spoken in areas like Yongzhou and Quanzhou County.

Other dialects like Waxiang, Xiangnan Tuhua, Hakka, and Southwestern Mandarin also appear in the region.

Inter-dialectal Relations

The relationship between New Xiang and Southwestern Mandarin dialects is particularly fluid, with considerable overlap in border regions. Some scholars, like Zhou Zhenhe and You Rujie, have even classified New Xiang as a subset of Southwestern Mandarin, highlighting the complex dialect continuum.

Phonological Characteristics

Voiced Initials

A key phonological feature distinguishing Xiang dialects relates to the treatment of voiced initials from Middle Chinese. While most Xiang varieties exhibit unaspirated voiceless initials across all tone categories, some dialects, particularly Old Xiang, have preserved voicing in certain tones. This retention is a significant indicator of linguistic conservatism.

Tone and Consonant Evolution

The table below illustrates the development of Middle Chinese voiced initials in different tones across select Xiang dialects. Notably, dialects like Changsha (New Xiang) show a shift towards voiceless consonants, while Shuangfeng (Old Xiang) retains some voiced features, demonstrating divergent phonological pathways.

Gloss	Middle Chinese	Chengbu	Shuangfeng	Shaoyang	Changsha
peach	daw	dao²	dɛ²	daŋ²	taŋ²
sit	dzwaX	dzo⁶	dzu⁶	tso⁶	tso⁶
together	gjowngH	goŋ⁶	gaŋ⁶	koŋ⁶	koŋ⁵
white	baek	ba⁷	pɛ⁶	pe⁶	pŋ⁷

Note: IPA transcriptions are simplified for clarity. The table highlights the shift from voiced (d, dz, g) to voiceless (t, ts, k) initials in some dialects.

Notable Speakers

Historical Figures

The Hunanese region has produced numerous influential figures in Chinese history, many of whom were native speakers of Xiang dialects. Their contributions span military leadership, political reform, and revolutionary movements.

Mao Zedong: Founding father of the People's Republic of China.
Zuo Zongtang: Qing Dynasty statesman and military leader.
Huang Xing: Revolutionary leader and contemporary of Sun Yat-sen.
Ma Ying-jeou: Former President of Taiwan, whose ancestral roots are in Hunan.

Scholarly Classification

Linguistic Debates

The precise taxonomic grouping of Xiang has been a point of academic inquiry. While some linguists, like W. South Coblin, have expressed reservations about a unified classification, others argue for shared innovations that support Xiang as a distinct branch. Jerry Norman positioned Xiang, along with Gan and Wu, as intermediate between the northern Mandarin group and the southern Chinese varieties.

Inter-group Relations

The pervasive influence of Mandarin dialects, particularly Southwestern Mandarin, on Xiang has created complex dialectal boundaries. This linguistic interaction has led to differing perspectives on classification, with some scholars including New Xiang dialects within the Southwestern Mandarin group due to significant shared features.

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Xiang Chinese Wikipedia page

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This content has been generated by an AI model, drawing upon established linguistic research and data. It is intended for advanced academic and educational purposes, providing a scholarly overview of Xiang Chinese.

This is not professional linguistic advice. The information presented is based on publicly available data and may not encompass all nuances or the very latest research findings. Always consult peer-reviewed academic sources and expert linguists for definitive analysis and specific research needs.

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Xiang Chinese

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Overview ℹ️

🗣️ Linguistic Identity

🗺️ Geographic Distribution

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ethnic Association

Historical Trajectory 📜

⏳ Ancient Roots

🌊 Migrations and Influences

🏛️ Dynastic Developments

Dialectal Landscape 📊

📚 Classification Frameworks

📍 Key Dialectal Features

↔️ Inter-dialectal Relations

Phonological Characteristics 🔊

🔊 Voiced Initials

🎶 Tone and Consonant Evolution

Notable Speakers 🌟

👤 Historical Figures

Scholarly Classification ❓

🔬 Linguistic Debates

↔️ Inter-group Relations

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Overview

Linguistic Identity

Geographic Distribution

Ethnic Association

Historical Trajectory

Ancient Roots

Migrations and Influences

Dynastic Developments

Dialectal Landscape

Classification Frameworks

Key Dialectal Features

Inter-dialectal Relations

Phonological Characteristics

Voiced Initials

Tone and Consonant Evolution

Notable Speakers

Historical Figures

Scholarly Classification

Linguistic Debates

Inter-group Relations

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice