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Date: 2023-04-25 18:54丨 Source: 丨 Writer：Jia Shishen

As for Chinese researches on classical Western philology, there is a growing exploration towards historical phonology. Recently, Professor Huang Ruicheng, from the Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Science at Chongqing University, published a translated work titled “Three Treatises on Ancient Phonology” with Northwest University Press. In this translation, Professor Huang tackles three specialized treatises on historical phonology in classical Greek and Latin written by the former Cambridge University classical philologist, Professor William Sidney Allen. Besides, emulating the structure of Gu Yanwu's “Five Treatises on Phonology”, Professor Huang fittingly named his works “Three Treatises on Ancient Phonology”.

Among the Three Treatises, Vox Latina: A Guide to the Pronunciation of Classical Latin and Vox Graeca: A Guide to the Pronunciation of Classical Greek embark on a thorough exploration of the phonetic intricacies of Classical Latin and Classical Greek. They initiate this investigation by providing a detailed analysis of letter pronunciation, including vowel length, vowel correlations, and accentuation patterns. Therefore, these treatises have significant academic value, offering profound insights into the study of Classical Latin and Classical Greek from various perspectives, such as classical philology, linguistics, phonetics, and phonology. Conversely, Accent and Rhythm: Prosodic Features of Latin and Greek commences its exploration from the historical context of prosody. It delves into the phonological and phonetic aspects of Classical Latin and Classical Greek, examining syllabic structures, metrical patterns, rhythmic nuances, sound quantity, word relationships, and stress patterns. This work assumes a paramount role in the realm of classical Western studies, particularly in the domain of the translation of classical Latin and Greek poetry. Hence, it is regarded as one of the most pivotal comparative phonological studies in the field.

The “Three Treatises on Ancient Phonology” marks China's inaugural endeavor in introducing Western research on historical phonology. It fills a notable gap in the translation of works concerning the phonetics and phonology of Classical Greek and Classical Latin. This endeavor not only enriches the exchange of knowledge between Western and Chinese classical civilizations, but also carries substantial academic significance.

Vox Latina: A Guide to the Pronunciation of Classical Latin is recognized as one of the most widely embraced and influential works in Western classical studies, particularly concerning the phonetics of Classical Latin. In this book, the author embarks on an exhaustive examination, commencing with a detailed analysis of consonant and vowel letter pronunciations. This deep dive into the phonological attributes of Classical Latin encompasses crucial elements, such as vowel duration, vowel relationships, stress patterns, and phonetic intensity. Therefore, this book holds substantial academic value, providing invaluable insights for scholars studying Classical Latin from various perspectives, including classical philology, phonetics, linguistics, and phonology.

Vox Graeca: A Guide to the Pronunciation of Classical Greek, is the counterpart to Vox Latina: A Guide to the Pronunciation of Classical Latin. Building upon the research foundation established by Vox Latina, this book begins with a comprehensive examination of the pronunciation of consonant and vowel letters in Classical Greek. It delves deeply into the phonological features of Classical Greek, including vowel duration, vowel correlations, stress patterns, and phonetic intensity. Utilizing ancient classical texts, it also systematically restores the consonant, vowel, and pitch accent systems of Classical Greek. Hence, this book holds a prominent position as one of the most widely recognized and influential researches on the phonetics of Classical Greek for scholars exploring the Western classical studies.

The book titled Accent and Rhythm: Prosodic Features of Latin and Greek is a pivotal work in the field. The first section of this book, An Overview of Theoretical Background, starts by exploring the historical context of prosody. It meticulously investigates Classical Latin and Classical Greek syllables, examining them from both phonological and phonetic perspectives. This comprehensive analysis encompasses aspects such as vowel and consonant quantity, vowel length, stress patterns, intonation, pitch accent, meter, and rhythm. In the subsequent sections, The Prosodic Structure of Latin and The Prosodic Structure of Greek, the book delves deeply into the syllabic structure, quantity, length, word correlations, stress, and emphasis in Classical Latin and Classical Greek. This work is regarded as one of the most significant comparative prosodic studies within the Western classical studies community. It holds particular importance in the realm of research related to the translation of Classical Greek and Classical Latin poetry, making it a valuable scholarly resource.

Appreciating the "Three Treatises on Ancient Phonology": Finding a kindred spirit is indeed a daunting endeavor!

Huang Ruicheng

In the late autumn of 2009, Professor Liu Xiaofeng made a visit to Shaanxi Normal University to deliver a series of lectures. His inaugural lecture, titled "The Subtleties of Philosophers," took place in the beautifully antiquated main library, a venue with a capacity for 200 attendees. The lecture hall was brimming with people, and even the staircases leading up to it were occupied by eager listeners. For the second lecture, the venue shifted to the grand 600-seat auditorium, where Professor Liu delved into the theme of "The Pandora Myth." The auditorium was filled to its maximum capacity, with every seat taken. Following the lectures, as we strolled back to the school guesthouse, Professor Liu inquired about my teaching experiences and academic interests. I mentioned that I had been instructing two courses in Western classical languages and had a strong desire to gain a deeper understanding of the essence of these two Western classical languages. He offered words of encouragement, suggesting that this was a matter deserving of long-term contemplation.

On the evening following Professor Liu's departure from Xi'an, Mr. Chen Yue hosted a dinner gathering where they engaged in a spirited discussion. And this conversation mainly revolved around plans for compiling academic series, in which I took the opportunity to pose a question to Professor Liu profoundly: "What is the ultimate purpose behind all these academic endeavors?" Without hesitation, he replied, "To sow the seeds of learning in the field of Chinese academia." A few days after his return to Beijing, Professor Liu sent over several extensive volumes of meticulously annotated selections in both Greek and Latin to me.

More than a decade has passed since then, and the "Spiritual Translation Series", co-edited by Mr. Xu Ye and Mr. Chen Yue, has grown into a prominent and highly regarded collection in the academic fields, earning accolades and setting a standard. And my initial curiosity about the essence of Western classical languages remains unchanged. I consider the progress made in unraveling the intricacies of these languages as a small but significant step forward.

In the concluding remarks of his work "Preface to the 'Five Books on Phonology,'" the pioneering scholar Gu Yanwu expressed the belief that "if Heaven does not intend to eradicate this civilization of rituals and music, there will undoubtedly arise individuals of talent who, through the study of contemporary phonology, will recite ancient literature using the phonetics of bygone eras." Mr. Gu elevated the study of "phonology" to the pinnacle of "sacred learning pursued by the dedicated!" As he eloquently expressed it: "The journey to understand the Nine Classics begins with a meticulous examination of the texts, and the examination of texts starts with a grasp of phonetics ("Response to Mr. Li Zide's Letter"). This underscores the necessity for our exploration of classical Western philology to expand into the realm of ancient phonology. With this goal in mind, we have undertaken the translation of three specialized treatises on the historical phonology of classical Greek and Latin by Professor William Sidney Allen, a distinguished classical philologist at the University of Cambridge. Inspired by Gu’s grand work "Five Books on Phonology," we have named this collection "Three Treatises on Ancient Phonology." These volumes constitute the inaugural publications of the "Love of Words: Classical Philology" (ΦΙΛΟΛΟΓΙΑ) series.

In late September 1888, the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote a letter to his friend Carl Fuchs, discussing the distinction between "ancient rhythm" ("temporal rhythm") and "Germanic rhythm" ("impulse rhythm"). He believed that, according to the ancient understanding, the nature of rhythm was moral and aesthetic, serving as a restraint on passion. He observed that our modern rhythm fell into a pathological category, while the rhythm of antiquity was aligned with "ethics." Nietzsche's words illustrate the profound differences in the qualities and interests of ancient and modern musical rhythms. However, it's essential to recognize that there is no inherent divide between the spiritual insights of philosophers from different times and cultures. Even in ancient China, early philosophers seamlessly integrated music and politics. As stated in the "Li Ji" (Book of Rites), "All sounds have their origin within the human heart; music, in turn, resonates with principles of ethics. Hence, those who only grasp sounds without understanding the essence of music are akin to animals, while those who comprehend music but remain unaware of its ethical underpinnings are ordinary people. Only a true gentleman possesses the insight to truly understand music. As such, by carefully examining sounds, one can unlock the secrets of music; by delving into music, one gains insight into ethics; and by thoroughly understanding ethics, one acquires the foundations of effective governance." Therefore, the insights of ancient philosophers exactly align with the objectives of research in historical phonology within the perspective of "Global Classical Philology."

Professor Christoph Harbsmeier, the renowned sinologist, gained international acclaim in the 20th century for his “Research on Classical Chinese Grammar” (“Science and Civilization in China”, Volume 7, Language and Logic). He generously provided the preface for the "Three Treatises on Ancient Phonology," contributing to the burgeoning field of "Global Classical Philology." Additionally, he also translated the Greek inscriptions featured in the illustrations of the book. Meanwhile, Professor Clarkson, Chair of the Classics Department at the University of Cambridge, and successor to Professor Allen in the original "Comparative Philology" chair, composed a special foreword. In this introduction, he highlighted Professor Allen's accomplishments in the "Three Treatises on Ancient Phonology" and emphasized the significant progress in Western classical phonological research over the past decade. Besides, Sir John Lyons, a Fellow of the British Academy and former President of Trinity College, Cambridge, was a distinguished linguist. In 2006, he authored an extensive commemorative article titled "Biographical Account of the Phonologist Allen." This article was authorized by the British Academy and has been translated into separate volumes to enlighten readers.

The ancients wisely said, "finding a kindred spirit is indeed a daunting endeavor!" I wish to express my profound gratitude for the invaluable support received in bringing the "Love of Words: Classical Philology" series and "Three Treatises on Ancient Phonology" to fruition, thanks to the unwavering commitment of President Ma Lai and Chief Editor Zhang Ping at Northwest University Press. I am especially thankful to my dear friend Chen Yue, who treated this project as his own, and had provided guidance and advice on every detail, from the translation of the titles to the layout design. I'm also immensely grateful to Ms. Ren Jie, my responsible editor. Her remarkably meticulous editorial work is nothing short of astonishing, and her warm and gracious demeanor is truly admirable. Furthermore, Professor Meng Pengsheng, a renowned expert in ancient Chinese phonology at Southwest University, has been a great source of encouragement for the translation of this series. And Professor Yuan Wenquan, based at Chongqing University where I work, has consistently provided unwavering support for classical humanities studies. Besides, colleagues from both Center for Classical Lexicography at Chongqing University, and Research Center for Global Classical Philology, have played pivotal roles in supporting this work. Professor Zhu Chengming provided invaluable guidance in correcting the translation of Sanskrit phonological terminology, while Dr. Xiao Xinyao meticulously reviewed translations of the positions and chairs in Western university. Additionally, three junior scholars, Zhang Xin, Jia Shishen, and Huang Zhuo'er, also made significant contributions to this endeavor.

As far as I know, the "Three Treatises on Ancient Phonology" is believed to be the first introduction of specialized Western studies in historical phonology to the academic community in China. Personally, this endeavor posed significant challenges in terms of terminology translation, especially in the section involving "quotations from ancient grammarians and other authors," where modern translations are scarce. And this compelled me to opt for a literal and sometimes rigid translation approach. Of course, I also drew upon some ancient phonological works such as Bernhard Karlgren's Etudes sur la Phonologie Chinoise (Chinese Phonology Research) (translated by Zhao Yuanren, Luo Changpei, and Li Fanggui, Shanghai: Commercial Press, 1940) and reference materials like R. L. Trask s A Dictionary of Phonetics and Phonology (Beijing: The Commercial Press, 2000). Throughout this translation, I have greatly benefited from the insights of my esteemed predecessors and colleagues. Nevertheless, errors may still exist. I humbly request guidance and feedback from experts in the field, with the hope of further refinement in the future.