Tiangang Bian

ABSTRACT: The interaction between the *et and *it rhyme groups, originally distinct rhyme groups, later being able to cross boundaries, is a result and reflection of historical phonetic changes. The germination of their mutual connection can be traced back to the Western Han period but became significant during the Eastern Han, primarily concentrated in the Division III and IV rhyme categories. The mutual connection of the two rhyme groups in the entering-tone(入声) of the Division IV(四等韵) signifies the merger of the *eet>eet(月_2屑) and *iit>ᵉiit>eet(质_屑) subgroups, resulting in the Middle Chinese Qieyun(《切韵》) Division IV 屑rhyme. Similarly, the mutual connection of the two rhyme groups in the departing-tone (去声) of the Division IV(四等韵) indicates the merging of the *eets>eets(月_2霁) and *iits>ᵉiits>eets(质_霁) subgroups, forming the Middle Chinese Qieyun(《切韵》) Division IV 霁rhyme. The mutual connection of the two rhyme groups in the Division III (三等韵) is primarily concentrated in alveolar initials, but is not observed in the Heluo Yayin (河洛雅音) system, suggesting a potential regional phonetic phenomenon. The divergent readings of 质 rhymes in the 薛 rhyme category and the unusual readings of the 至 rhymes in the 祭 rhyme category in Middle Chinese Qieyun (《切韵》) phonology may be attributed to the influence of innovative phonetic changes in this dialect.