Page 314 - Kryukov_M_V_-_Sistema_rodstva_kitaytsev_-_1972

oi kinship patterns traced through the history of the Chinese nomenclature.
The case under study not only demonstrates the developmental sequence
of the bifurcate-merging, bifurcate-collateral and lineal patterns but also-
provides the data for inquiry into the mechanics of their transformation.
This problem is given less attention by modern anthropologists. The only
clearly formulated general rule, viz. that the first categories to change their
connotation within a given kin term system are those of Ego's generation^
was substantiated by G. Dole.
The study of the Chinese system made it possible to test the last
statement against the historicar data of various periods of time. The present
author is of the opinion that the said conclusion is to be further refined.
Which category of terms is the least stable and, conversely, the most
sensitive to changes in kinship structure depends on what type of kin terms
is undergoing transformation and what type it is evolving to. As far as the
bifurcate-merging type in a process of transition to the bifurcate-collateral
one is concerned, the first group of terms to be. changed are those of the first
ascending generation; then the differentiation of lineal and collateral relatives
extends to Ego's generation; the first descending generation is the last to
undergo corresponding changes. But in the case of transition from bifurca-
te-collateral to lineal pattern the changes begin in terms of Ego's
generation. The transformation of bifurcate-merging system towards
generation one cannot be discussed here in detail as the history of the
Chinese nomenclature does not contribute to the problem. But some other
cases of such a transformation indicate that a general rule can be provisio-.
nally formulated as follows: in the process of formation of a bifurcate-
collateral system (from a bifurcate-merging one) the changes begin in the
first ascending generation; in the process of formation of generation system
(from either a bifurcate-merging or bifurcate-collateral one) the changes
begin in Ego's generation; when the bifurcate-collateral system is in the
process of disintegration (towards either a generation or lineal types) the
least stable are terms of Ego's generation; when a generation system is
disintegrating and being transforming into lineal terminology, the first
terms to change are those of the first ascending generation.
In the next chapters the hypothetical reconstruction of a protosystem on
the basis of a comparison of modern Chinese dialects is examined and its
validity proved in its main parts; and the problem of the correspondence
beiween the Chinese kin terms on various stages of their evolution and the
underlying social structure is discussed.

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