This five-part study is an analysis of the relationship between tones and initials in the dialects of the Shànghãi area. Part one addresses the general relationship between tones and initials. Part two discusses the nature of voiceless stops followed by vowels with breathy phonation and the relationship between the stops and tones. Part three addresses the influence of aspirated stops on tones. Part four discusses the nature and distribution of the pre-glottalized stops and the influence of pre-glottalized stops on tones. Part five is a conclusion.

Index Terms: Initial, Tone, Breathy phonation, Aspirated tone, Pre-glottalized stop