2.4 Introduction to Huai’an dialect

Huai’an as a famous historical and cultural city, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties in history. It is a city along the banks of the canal. From north to south, multicultural communication forms the particularity of Huai’an regional culture. In addition, Huai’an region is located in China's geographical north-south border. It’s also the intersection of north and south regional culture and folk climate transition zone. So its language convention presents the characteristics of the north and south blend. Huai’an dialect is the result of the junction of the north Wu dialect and Yue dialect. Their differences are how many voiced words they have and whether have roll up voice. Huai’an dialect features are regardless of blade-alveolar and retroflex, front and bank nasals, “l” and “n”.

Huai’an dialect initials are ‘b, p, m, l, n, f, d, t, g, h, j, k, q, x, z, c, s’, etc. The specific features are as followed:

First, all muddy initials in Huai’an dialect are cleared. Fricatives, anapestic are read aspirated voiceless. Oblique tones are read not aspirated voiceless, consistent with mandarin. But mandarin retroflex is not exsited in Huai’an dialects. Huai’an dialect often replace “z, c, s” instead of “zh, ch, sh”.

Second, in Huai’an dialect, “l” and “n” are mixed. For example, “ni” read as “li”. It’s very difficult for Huai’an people to read “niu nai” correctly.

In addition, Huai’an dialect’s biggest characteristic is keeping the Ru Sheng roar plosive terminal.

Huaian dialect also have some special characteristics of dialects, such as: “you” call “luo ge”, “today” is called “gai ge”, “tomorrow” is called “mou ge”, “yesterday” is called “za ge”, “good” is called “bu chou”, etc.