Franz Kiihnert and the Phonetics ofLate Nineteenth-Century Nankingese

摘要

The Austrian astronomer and sinologist Franz Kuhnert left detailed studies of Nankingesepronunciation as it existed in the late nineteenth century. Accounts of this type are valuablebecause they can be compared with modern descriptions to serve as a basis for historicalanalysis of phonological change in Chinese dialects. Unfortunately, Kuhnert recorded hisform of Nankingese in a complex and intricate orthography, which makes his material dif-ficult to access for readers today. The purpose of the present article is to analyze his transcrip-tional system and determine IPA sound values for the forms he gives.