Lexical diffusion: A population perspective and a mathematical model
词汇扩散: 人口调查和数学模式
Zhongwei Shen 沈钟伟

Abstract 摘要
In this article we investigate lexical diffusion from a population perspective. The case of sound change used is the ongoing merger of two vowels // and // in Shanghainese. Some theoretical concepts of lexical diffusion are discussed, and a method of investigation is introduced. By using a mathematical model to analyze the data, we find that the entry order of a word into a sound change determines 1) its rate of diffusion through a population, and 2) its time interval from a preceding word. These results reveal the relationship among the relevant words during a sound change.

本文从社会人口中观察王士元先生提出的有关音变的词汇扩散现象。我们采用在上海进行的// 和// 两个韵母合并的例子来作说明。在理论上，我们试图对造成词江扩散的原因作出解释；在调查方法上，我们介绍了一种音位变化的调查方法。对于获得的材料，我们进一步用数学模式进行了分析。分析的结果显示：一个词进入音变的先后决定其1）在人口中传播的速率；2）和前一个词的时间间隔的长短。这些结果揭示了音变中词与词之间的系统性的互相关系。

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