The comparison research on phonology of Kunshan, Suzhou and Shanghai dialect

Abstract: Linguists have paid more attention on Researches and investigations of Shanghai（SH）and Soochow (SC) dialects since P.R.C was established. Some remark Khuense (KS) dialect as a “half-Soochow, half-Shanghai” accent so that they are not going to have an in-depth understanding of it. In order to have some conclusion about KS’ phonetic distinctions and phonology revolution rules, the author did comparative research on modern phonologies of SC, KS and SH; also, further analysis on their onsets and rhymes based on Traditional Chinese rhyme system. It is true that KS’ phonetics has been highly influenced and changed by SH’s; However, there are accurately systemic correspondences between KS and SC’s phonemes. People cannot simply conclude that KS is a younger sibling or kid of SH. For instance, rhymes of many Yu She（遇摄）and Guo She(果摄) syllables are əʊ in KS, but u in SH. It is not easy to distinguish 2 phonological changes: əʊ > u ,a labialization of rhyme caused by Bang Xi（帮系）onsets and mediate u ; and u > əʊ , a phonetic split happened frequently in Wu Chinese. The question is critical because there are many causal-effect relationships depending on the judgment of KS’ identity, an elder or younger generation to SH.