Phonology and Morphosyntax of Pubarong Queyu
Loading...
Date
2025-02-24
Authors
Guan, Xuan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
This dissertation is a description and analysis of the phonology and morphosyntax of Queyu (Qiangic<Tibeto-Burman, ISO 639: qvy). Queyu is spoken in Western Sichuan of China, the region recognized as the Ethnic Corridor with frequent interactions among different ethnic groups in history and boasts an abundance of ethnic and linguistic diversity (Sun 2013). With such rich resources for linguistic, historical, and ethnographic research, studies on this region are rare. Among languages spoken there, Queyu is one of the least studied. The Queyu language contains an elaborated set of onset clusters, highly reduced set of codas, which is an unusual combination. The loss of codas also contributes to the uncommon distinctions of vowels. In addition to the complicated phonological system, the morphosyntax of Queyu poses interesting issues as well. For example, surrounded by and related to Rgyalrong languages with hierarchical alignment system, Queyu, however, has nominative-accusative alignment system. While some features of Queyu are typologically rare, they are common in local region.
With around 6,000 speakers and low intergenerational transmission rate, the Queyu language is in danger of dying out (Lu 1985). This situation is particularly worse for Queyu speakers from Pubarong town, whose variety of speech is under examination here, for they are relocated to nearby counties due to a local dam construction project which will expedite the endangerment process. Documenting Queyu would hence contribute to Trans-Himalayan and typological studies, as well as descriptions for languages spoken in the Ethnic Corridor. This dissertation is also the first detailed description and analysis for the Pubarong variety of Queyu.
Description
Keywords
Language documentation, Morphosyntax, Phonology, Qiangic, Queyu, Trans-Himalayan