The spelling of "Peiping" is an example of how the pronunciation of a word can change over time. Originally spelled "Peking," the pronunciation shifted to include a palatalization of the /k/ sound, resulting in the new spelling of "Peiping." In IPA phonetic transcription, this change is reflected in the new pronunciation with a /p/ sound followed by a /j/ sound, represented as /piː.pɪŋ/. However, today the city is known as Beijing in modern English spelling and pronunciation.
Peiping is a noun with various dictionary definitions. One meaning of "peiping" refers to the old name for Beijing, the capital city of the People's Republic of China. This term was commonly used in Western countries during the early to mid-20th century and is derived from the Mandarin pronunciation of the city's name. Peiping, now known as Beijing, is a significant cultural, political, and economic center in China.
Another definition of "peiping" refers to a type of jargon or language used in silent movie-making. It is a form of specialized vocabulary or slang that was developed among the theater and film industry professionals to facilitate communication on set during the era of silent films. This terminology helped the actors, directors, and crew members synchronize their actions and ensure smooth production.
Moreover, "Peiping" can also signify a type of Chinese capital written with a double p. This usage is typically found in economic or historical contexts and is associated with the administrative, currency, or financial sectors of China's history.
In summary, "peiping" is primarily known for two main definitions: as an old name for Beijing and as a specialized jargon used in silent movie-making. However, it can also refer to a form of Chinese capital in certain contexts.
The word "Peiping" is derived from the Mandarin Chinese name for the city, which is written as 北平 in Simplified Chinese characters. The pronunciation of these characters in Mandarin Chinese is "Běipíng", which means "Northern Peace".
During the period of Western imperialism and Transcription into European languages, the spelling "Peiping" emerged and was commonly used by Westerners. However, in 1949, the People's Republic of China officially changed the name of the city to Beijing, and since then, "Beijing" has become the standard spelling in English.