Cross-Linguistic Transcription and Phonological Representation in the Hu\`it\'onggu\v{a}nx\`i Hu\'ay\'iy\`iy\v{u}

2026-05-15 · Source: cs.CL updates on arXiv.org · Field: Science & Research — Social Sciences & Behavioral Studies, Research Methodology & Innovation, Historical Phonology · Depth: Expert, extended

Summary

This study comprehensively analyzes the Huitongguanxi Huayiyiyu (HHY), a series of multilingual glossaries compiled by the Ming government (15th-16th centuries) for interpreter training, as a cross-linguistically coherent transcription system. By digitizing a substantial portion of HHY and aligning it with Chinese phonological categories, the research reveals that Main Transcription (MT) generally accommodates sounds compatible with Chinese syllable structure, while Supplementary Transcription (ST) encodes phonetic features that Chinese phonology could not readily represent. The findings demonstrate that Chinese transcription categories were used flexibly, functioning as a structured system of phonetic approximation rather than a direct projection of Chinese phonology onto non-Chinese languages. This systematic approach, conditioned by both syllable-structure constraints and phonetic salience (voicing, continuancy, and release), offers a valuable resource for reconstructing under-documented Asian languages and advancing historical phonology through cross-linguistic comparison.

Key takeaway

The Ming dynasty's HHY glossaries reveal a systematic, cross-linguistic phonetic transcription system for Asian languages, adapting Chinese phonological categories to represent spoken forms. Analysis across eight languages shows Main Transcription (MT) adhered to Chinese syllable structure, while Supplementary Transcription (ST) encoded otherwise unrepresentable voiced, continuant, or released voiceless stop segments. This framework offers a novel methodological resource for reconstructing under-documented premodern Asian languages and understanding historical phonetic approximation practices.

Topics

• Huitongguanxi Huayiyiyu
• Cross-Linguistic Transcription
• Chinese Historical Phonology
• Main Transcription
• Supplementary Transcription

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by cs.CL updates on arXiv.org.