A Brief Analysis of the Dual Readings of Split-Syllable Verbs in the Linxian Dialect of Shanxi

Abstract

A distinctive phenomenon in the Linxian dialect (Shanxi) involves certain monosyllabic verbs exhibiting dual readings: a split-syllable form and a monosyllabic form, each associated with distinct meanings. Focusing on verbs such as 滚 (gǔn, roll) and 摆 (bǎi, sway), this study employs traditional philology and textual exegesis to trace the historical emergence of these divergent meanings. The analysis reveals that meanings linked to the split-syllable forms—often characterized by iterativity, descriptiveness, or aspectual nuances—consistently emerged later in historical records than the basic meanings associated with the monosyllabic forms. Consequently, this paper argues that the split-syllable phenomenon in the Linxian dialect is not a retention of complex consonant clusters from Old Chinese. Instead, it likely arose from semantic differentiation driven by prosodic constraints and expressive modality. This case study offers a new perspective for re-examining the origins of split-syllable words and the debate surrounding Old Chinese phonology.