Periodization of Chinese Phonology (Sources*)
| STAGE | TEXTS | DATES |
|---|---|---|
| Old Chinese | Shijing (詩經) | 800 - 600 BC |
| Early Middle Chinese | Qieyun (切韻) | 601 AD |
| Guangyun (廣韻) | 1011 AD (or 1008 AD) | |
| Late Middle Chinese | Yunjing (韻鏡) | 1161 (preface), 1203 AD |
| Qiyinlue (七音略) | ca. 1162 AD | |
| Sisheng Dengzi (四聲等子) | probably N. Song (date and authorship unknown) | |
| Qieyun Zhizhang Tu (切韻指掌圖) | ca 1176 - 1203 (S. Song) | |
| Qieyun Zhinan (切韻指南) | 1336 AD (Song trad.) | |
| Early Mandarin | Zhongyuan Yinyun (中原音韻) | 1324 AD (Yuan) |
(* For information on dating of various primary sources, see E.G. Pulleyblank (1984) Middle Chinese: A Study in Historical Phonology. Vancouver, Canada: University of British Columbia Press. Pp. 255-257.)
URL: http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/chan9/c681/table2.htm