Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica

Abstract

Sino-Tebetan (ST) languages include the major languages spoken by various ethnic minorities in China and important languages used in Southeast Asian countries.  There has always been international participation in research on ST languages.  China has a high concerntration of ST languages, making it a principal region of ST languages.  Chinese research into ST languages has a long history with remarkable achievements; progress in the field has been especially substantial since 1949.  Chinese research in the past half century has succeeded in elucidating the basic situation of ST languages and dialects, has resolved the practical problems concerning the writing systems of minority languages, and has enriched the theory and methodology of general linguistics.  Moreover, it has made important theoretical contributions to phonology, typology, the study of language relationships, and other sub-fields.
The present paper discusses important topics in the field of ST linguistics: genetic classification, lingua franca and languages common to different ethnic groups, standard varieties of languages, relationship between language contact and bilingualism, and the "language or dialect" problem.  It also suggests some important methods and ways of studying ST languages: paying attention to the fundamental characteristics of ST languages, sharing notes between the study of Chinese and the study of minority languages, promoting comparative studies between Chinese and minority languages and among minority languages themselves, and strengthening the association and cooperation with other disciplines.