Further classification of Southwestern Tai "P" group languages

Abstract

This research applies the comparative method to word-lists from Southwestern Tai “P” Group languages in order to find criteria for the classification of these languages. The scope of investigation in limited to Tai languages which have been classified by Li (1960) as belonging to the Southwestern branch and by Chamberlain (1972, 1975) as belonging to the “P” Group. These languages include Tai Mao, Tai Nua, Tai Khamti, Tai Lu, Tai Yai, Tai Khun, Tai Yuan, White Tai, Black Tai and Red Tai. The findings are that Tai Mao, Tai Nua, and Tai Khamti share five sound correspondences which support a genetic grouping of these languages. The five defining features proposed for Proto-Nua-Mao-Khamti are: 1) the labialized velar stops become velar stops, 2) a tripartite split of the A tone, 3) a coalescence of the A23 and B4 tone boxes, 4) the low vowels *ℇ and *Ↄ become mid vowels /e/ and /o/ in OPEN syllables, and 5) *ʡb becomes /m/. The remaining “P” group languages can be subdivided based on tone splits for the A tone. Tai Khun and Tai Yuan form a separate division sharing an A12-34 tone split. Tai yai, Tai Lu, white Tai, Black Tai and Red Tai are grouped together because of their common A123-4 tone split. No other sound correspondences were found to provide sufficient evidence to posit further classification of these languages.