Qin–Lian Languages Group (Chinese: 欽廉语言, romanization of 'Qin–Lian' in native languages is Hamlim, literally 'Qinzhou and Lianzhou', a historical region) is a southern branch of Yue Chinese spoken in the coastal part of Guangxi, including 3 main cities: Beihai, Qinzhou, Fangchenggang, and 4 subject counties: Hepu, Pubei, Lingshan, Dongxing.

Qin-Lian Yue
Hamlim Jijin / Hamlim Jujin
Native to	China
Region	Guangxi
Native speakers	About 3,900,000 (2013)[1]
Language family	Sino-Tibetan Sinitic languages Yue Chinese Qin-Lian Yue
Language codes
ISO 639-3	None (mis)
ISO 639-6	qnli
Glottolog	qinl1235
Linguasphere	79-AAA-mf
Qin-Lian (lower left), among other Yue and Pinghua groups in Guangxi and Guangdong

Etymology

Qinlian (Hamlim) is an abbreviation from Qinzhou (Hamzau/Yamchow) and Lianzhou (Limzau/Limchow), a historical region, 'Hepu Commandery' (Chinese: 合浦郡) since 111 BC, 'Lianzhou Fu' (Chinese: 廉州府) in Ming and Qing dynasties, 'Qinzhou-Lianzhou Areas' (Chinese: 欽廉地區) during the ROC, 'Qinzhou-Lianzhou-Lingshan-Fangcheng' (Chinese: 欽廉靈防) in the middle of 20th century, 'Beihai-Qingzhou-Fangchenggang' (Chinese: 北欽防) or 'Area of Northern Gulf' which is the formal name for Gulf of Tonkin by China (Chinese: 北部灣地區) are mostly used nowadays.

Criterion

Middle Chinese had a series of voiced initials, but voicing has been lost throughout Yue and most other modern Chinese varieties apart from Wu and Old Xiang. The reflexes of the voiced stops and affricates are often used to classify Chinese varieties.

In most Qin–Lian varieties, these consonants develop into aspirates in all tones, a pattern also found in Wu–Hua Yue and Hakka,[2][3] which is also the traditional criterion of Qin-Lian Yue. However, in urban Qin–Lian varieties they yield aspirates in the level and rising tones, and non-aspirates in the departing and entering tones,[2] the same pattern found in the Guangfu, Siyi and Gao-Yang branches of Yue.[3]

Subgroups

There are several branches of Qin-Lian.

Varieties of Cantonese Language

Plain Speech (Chinese: 白話, Yale romanization: bàakwà; jyutping: baak6 waa6) are mostly spoken in the major urban areas of the cities Qinzhou (Hamzau), Beihai (Pakhoi), Fangchenggang (Fongsing), and the counties Dongxing (Dunghing) and Lingshan (Lingsaan).[4] They are very close to and highly similar with Standard Cantonese,[5] and sometimes they are definied as 'Cantonese (Yuehai variety) Languages in Qin-Lian area'. Each of them share highly close even same consonant shifting pattern at some point compared with Standard Cantonese. However, they are hard to be mutually intelligible with other Qin-Lian Yue Languages.

• Pakhoi Cantonese
  (Chinese: 北海白話, ipa: [pɐk̚˥ hɔːi˨˦ pak̚˨ waː˨˩]), abbreviated as Pakhoi Language (Chinese: 北海話), a dialect from Cantonese, is the second most-spoken language in Beihai. After Cantonese and Tanka immigrants brought their language and culture while settled in Beihai in 19th century, it has been changed by the influence of native through time. 'Limchownese-Cantonese' is the most appropriate term to explain it. Pakhoi Cantonese has experienced strong influence from Limchownese language, especially native conventional vocabularies and phrase different from Cantonese Language, some are originated from Kra–Dai languages without Chinese characters to write (sometimes meaningless homonyms are used for writing), others are diverse or very rare Sintic words to use. And its pronunciations are also influenced, some Chinese characters each have 2 different pronunciations - Limchownese-Cantonese pronunciation (in some specific phrases) and native Cantonese pronunciation (constantly used), depending on their different vocabulary which means combining more than 2 characters (or words from Kra–Dai languages) to form a phrase. And some expressions have 2 different phrases - native Cantonese phrase and Limchownese phrase.

Here are some samples for the characters with 2 pronunciations in Pakhoi Cantonese:

And some expressions are able to express by 2 different expressions in Pakhoi Cantonese (question marks mean that those vocabularies originate from Kra–Dai languages instead of Sintic languages, so there are not Chinese characters to represent):

• Naamhong Cantonese (Chinese: 南康白話), is only spoken in the downtown of Town of Nankang Beihai. It is similar with Pakhoi Cantonese but with a obviously different tone. However, the most widely used in Town of Nankang is Nga Language, mostly in hinterland.
• Hamzau Cantonese
  (Chinese: 欽州白話), abbreviated as Hamzau Language (Chinese: 欽州話) is spoken in urban of Qinzhou city.
• Fongsing Cantonese
  (Chinese: 防城白話) is spoken in most of land in Fangchenggang city, it almost same with Hamzau Cantonese but only a little difference.
• Lingsaan Cantonese
  (Chinese: 靈山白話) is spoken in urban of Lingshan County.

In spite of distinguishable but tiny differences on phonology and vocabulary, there is high mutual intelligibility and a great number of common colloquial words in the urban varieties and furthermore, in some varieties of Yong-Xun and Gao-Yang. Those features along with its scattered speaking zones may reflect the influence of intercity commercial communication in history, and lead to a lasting debate on its classification.[2]

The table below shows the differences in phonology among four major urban varieties.

• Cantonese varieties of mixed Yue
  The local Cantonese accents of Beihai with native Qin-Lian Yue and Yuehai Yue (widely known as 'Cantonese of Guangzhou') mixed.
  • Tanka Cantonese
    (Chinese: 蜑家話) is spoken by Tanka People who are mostly living in Waishaqiao (Chinese: 外沙橋) the north bank of Beihai, some very elderly people speak in the absolute Tanka accent, the middle age and the young speak in mixed accents with Pakhoi Cantonese.
  • Overseas-Chinese Cantonese
    (Chinese: 華僑白話) is spoken by the people living in Town of Qiaogang Beihai, majorly consist of Chinese-vietnamese refugees expelled during the anti-China protest in Vietnam in 1975. Overseas-Chinese accents are complex, the minority speak in Cantonese accent or Tanka accent, the majority speak in a mixed accent with Pakhoi Cantonese or Limchownese Language.
  • Saanhau Cantonese
    (Chinese: 山口白話) is only spoken in the downtown of Town of Shankou Beihai, which is the border Province of Guangxi and Province of Guangdong. It is close to Guangzhou Cantonese.

Limchownese Language

Limchownese Language (Chinese: 廉州話, ipa: [liːm˧ ʧɐʊ˦˥ ʋaː˨˩]), has been named by the Town of Lianzhou, the capital of County of Hepu, which was the central and capital town for several modern cities nearby in early history. Or Hoppo Language (Chinese: 合浦話, ipa:[hɐp̚˨ pʰʊ˨˦ ʋaː˨˩]), has been named by the County of Hepu, which was the major city in Gulf of Tonkin of ancient China. Or Rural Language (Chinese: 村下話, ipa: [ʧʰʊːn˦˥ haː˨˦ ʋaː˨˩]), literally speaking, the language was most widely used until the Cantonese and Tanka immigrants from the zone of Pearl River - capital district of Province of Guangdong with their Cantonese Language have been dominating South of Hepu - modern District of Haicheng, focal point of Beihai, where downtown has been moved to from Town of Lianzhou since 19th century after Chefoo Convention which demanded Beihai as a treaty port. Or Jute-planter Language (Chinese: 麻佬話, ipa: [maː˨˩ lɐʊ˨˦ ʋaː˨˩]), whose name was from 'jute-planter' (Chinese: 麻佬) is used to describe the Limchownese-speaking people tend to broadly plant jute. The term is widely used in East of Hepu. Limchownese is mostly widely used in Beihai, and regarded as the first language and mother tongue by the most of native. People in County of Hepu and District of Yinhai only speak Limchownese as monolingual (only regional languages are listed, or as 'dialects' regarded by Government of China, Mandarin that is national language of China isn't counted here). However, citizens in District of Haicheng - the zone of chief administration mostly speak it as bilingual, Pakhoi Cantonese is more mainstream here, the elder are mostly proficient for the 2 languages, the young might only speak the latter and are mostly able to listen, understand and simulate the former language.

• Western accent:
  Spoken by the People who living in the downtown and western towns of Hepu. The natives tend to name their mother tongue as Limchownese Language (Chinese: 廉州話).
• Northwestern accent:
  Spoken by the People who living in Eastern Hepu and Southern Pubei. The natives in Hepu tend to name their mother tongue as Jute-planter Language (Chinese: 麻佬話), but the speakers in County of Pubei tend to name it Low Language (Chinese: 下路話, ipa: [haː˨˩ lʊː˨˩ ʋaː˨˩]) for the reason that Pubei (name of this county literally means 'North of Hepu') used to part of Hepu, but divorced from Hepu in 1950s, so the people from Pubei define Hepu (including nowaday Beihai) as 'Lower Land' (Chinese: 下路).
• Southern accent:
  Spoke by the people who are living South of Beihai - main district of the city. The natives tend to name their mother tongue as Rural Language (Chinese: 村下話) or Hoppo Language (Chinese: 合浦話).
• Sea otter dialect:
  It was named by Limchownese-speakers in Qinzhou and Fangchenggang, sometimes it represents a kind of independent, special dialect or accent distinguished from Limchownese accent. Sea otter Language (Chinese: 海獺話), as its literal name , this dialect-speakers immigrated from Hepu (including nowaday Beihai City) to Qinzhou (including nowaday Fangchenggang City) by boats, and usually settled in the coastal land of Qinzhou. Due to they can't talk to the most of native in inland of Qinzhou who are unable to understand their Limchownese Language, so they defined themselves (or were defined by the natives of Qinzhou) as 'sea otter' (Chinese: 海獺) - the creature always saw nearby (Gulf of Tonkin) bank.[6]

Nga Language

Nga Language (Chinese: 我話, ipa: [ŋaː˨˦ waː˧], literally 'my language') named by the pronunciation of 'I' (Chinese: 我) /ŋa/, some call Coastal Language (Chinese: 海邊話, ipa: [haːi˧ piːn˥ waː˧]), another elder speakers call Hoppo Language (Chinese: 合浦話, ipa: [hɐp̚˧ pʰʊː˨˩ waː˧]), for distinguishing themselves from sharing the same name with Limchownese Language, so they name Limchownese (accent) a specific name - 'Outer Language' (Chinese: 坡外話, ipa: [pʰoː˥ waːi˧ waː˧]). Linguistically, Nga Language is closely related to Limchownese Language, sometimes regarded as a dialect of Limchownese. Nga Language is mostly spoken in District of Tieshangang, and some in District of Yinhai and Town of Zakou border on Tieshangang. Nga Language and Limchownese Language are able to be talked each other in some extent (approximately 50-60 percent and more), but a little confusion about understand and tone. And it's easy to learn and simulate Limchownese for the people speaking Nga Language. Historical name for Tieshangang was 'pearl pool' (Chinese: 珠廠, ipa: [ʧʊː˨˦ ʃe̞ːŋ˧]), so the many ancient people who spoke this language called 'pearl fishers' (Chinese: 珠民, ipa: [ʧʊː˨˦ mɐn˧]) in historical information. The pearl played the most significant role in Beihai's ancient history.

Here are some samples of Limchownese - Nga Languages (question marks mean that those vocabularies originate from Kra–Dai languages instead of Sintic languages, so there are not Chinese characters to represent):

Costal Language

Costal Language (Chinese: 海邊話), also named Civilian Language (Chinese: 百姓話) is spoken in Town of Shatian Beihai. This language is debatable which languages group it belongs to, sometimes it will be stated as Min Language. However, it shares many indigenous words with Limchownese Language and Nga Language.

Lingsaan Language

Lingsaan Language (Chinese: 靈山話) are widely spoken in the countryside of Lingshan and Pubei Qinzhou.[4]

Sliugong Language

Sliugong Language (Chinese: 小江話) is spoken in Xiaojiang (Sliugong) - the downtown of Pubei.[4]

Slanlap Language

Slanlap Language (Chinese: 新立話) is spoken in District of Qinbei - North of Qinzhou. 'Slanlap' (Chinese: 新立) is a historical name in northern Qinzhou.

References

External links

• An online dictionary of Yamchow Cantonese with pronunciation(Simplified Chinese)
• Jyutdict: an online Dictionary for Yue Varieties in Jyutping(Traditional Chinese)