William J Gedney S Tai Dialect Studies

A study of the tai language family and dialects, inlcuding grammar notes, glossaries, texts, and translations

This volume provides accurate and reliable data from 1,159 common cognates found in 19 dialects from the Tai language family. Originally collected by noted Tai linguist, the late William J. Gedney, the data are organized into the three branches of the Tai language family, the Southwestern, the Central, and the Northern, to facilitate comparisons among the various sound systems within the individual branches and within the Tai language family as a whole. Supplementing the cognates are phonological descriptions of each of the dialects. Included among the nineteen dialects are Siamese, White Tai, Black Tai, Shan, Lue, Yay, Saek, and dialects found at Leiping, Lungming, Pingsiang, and Ningming in China. The meticulous attention paid to consonants, vowels, and tones found in each cognate will allow for further dialect studies, for the investigation of questions concerning the tripartite division of the Tai language family, and for the continuing investigation into the reconstruction of the Proto-Tai language family and its wider genetic relationships.

A monograph of Central Tai dialects that offers extensive glossaries, texts, and translations with additional notes

Represents one of the most complete examinations yet undertaken of a dialect belonging to the Central Branch of the Tai language family

Twelve papers on comparative Tai studies, most previously unpublished, make up this collection of articles by the renowned linguist William J. Gedney

A thorough examination of Southwestern Tai Dialects, including an extensive glossary as well as texts and translations

Gedney's work on Yay, published in this volume, consists of a lengthy glossary and a collection of folktales and traditional songs.