Page:English and Cantonese dictionary (IA en00glishcantonesechalrich).pdf/15

This edition of the Cantonese Dictionary is in no important respect different from the last. Errors and inaccuracies have been corrected where noticed.

It has lately been pointed out^[1] by E. H. Parker, Esq. of H.B.M. Consular Service that there are nominally eighteen, and practically twelve tones, in the spoken language of Canton. Some of the extra tones are what I have referred in to previous editions as variations. One of them is the “middle entering tone,” introduced by Dr. Eitel into his forthcoming Dictionary. That the distinctions exist, and that they greatly increase the difficulty of the dialect, I have no doubt; but while they are still sub julice, being in many cases of such a refined nature that only the most. delicate ear can detect them, it would be premature to attempt introducing them systematically into a work for beginners. Having heard the opinion of a judge in this case, we must wait for the verdict of a jury. Meantime the opinion is very valuable; and I recommend it to the attention of all careful students of the dialect and of all who wish to speak it with perfect accuracy as heard in Canton City. In the country, probably, a different class of variations might be discovered, or none at all.

Canton, 13th December, 1878.