The Chaozhou dialect (潮州话), known as Teochew, Tiuchiu, Teochiu, or Chiuchow (Teō-chiu-oē by native speakers), is a Chinese language spoken in parts of eastern Guangdong, including Chaozhou and Shantou and in various Southeast Asian countries where Teochew migrants have settled. Teochew speakers form one of the largest dialect groups among overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia.
Classification
Like all other varieties of Chinese, there is plenty of dispute as to whether Teochew is a language or a dialect.
Teochew is a dialect of Southern Min, one of the divisions of spoken Chinese.
History
The Teochew dialect was evolved from the more archaic Min-Nan. Between the 9th and the 15th century, many Min people migrated south from Fujian to eastern Guangdong, mainly due to the over-population in Fujian. Around this time, and alongside with influences from Cantonese and the later Hakka, the Teochew dialect evetually evolved into a separate dialect.
Phonology
Phonetically, the Chaozhou dialect is a tonal language with extensive tone sandhi phenomena. Syllables contain an initial consonant, a vowel, and a final consonant; each of these may be nasal.
Onsets
Grammar
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See also
External links
- Learning Resource Center http://www.gaginang.org/index.asp
Last updated: 05-03-2005 09:00:33
