Contact-induced changes in the languages of Hainan

Karen Huang, Linguistics

With languages from the Sino-Tibetan, Tai-Kadai, Hmong-Mien, and Austronesian language families, Hainan is a linguistically diverse island. Historical records show that the languages of Hainan have been in contact for over five hundred years. This study discusses whether contact-induced changes have taken place in this language contact situation. Six varieties from three language families – Tsat (Austronesian), two Hlai varieties (Tai-Kadai), and three Southern-Min varieties (Sino-Tibetan) – are examined, especially their phonologies.

    The primary finding shows that the six share a number of phonological similarities. First, the languages share similar series of stop consonants, with aspirated voiceless stops, unaspirated voiceless stops, and implosives. They also show a variety of fricatives. The languages share a monosyllabic word shape, and a similar syllable canon. All of the languages have tone, and most have high and low series. Comparing data from their ancestral languages and neighboring languages, I argue that although some similarities are inherited features, others result from language contact in Hainan. Southern Min acquired implosive stops like those of its Austroasiatic neighbors; Hlai and Chamic (Tsat) developed similar word shapes and rhyming; and Tsat has acquired high and low tone series. Common phonetic and phonological changes are also found, such as the development of fricatives in all three language families. Aside from phonology, there is evidence that word order is gradually changing toward Southern-Min in Hlai and Tsat. As part of the linguistic area of South East Asia, Hainan provides a relatively narrow focus and suggests that convergence has taken place.