Readings in the Historical Linguistics Literature

Author: Zhang Nengfu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-10-01
Features: [Excerpt:] The Annotations to the Shuowen Jiezi is a representative work of the renowned Qing Dynasty scholar Duan Yucai. Duan Yucai was born in the 13th year of the Yongzheng era (1735 AD) and died in the 20th year of the Jiaqing era (1815 AD). His style name was Ruoying, and his sobriquet was Maozhang. He was from Jintan, Jiangsu, and served as the magistrate of Yuping in Guizhou, Wushan in Sichuan, Nanxi, and Fushun. The Annotations to the Shuowen Jiezi began to be written in the Gengzi year of the Qianlong era (1780 AD) and was completed in the Wuchen year of the Jiaqing era (1808 AD), spanning nearly three decades. It was published in the 20th year of the Jiaqing era (1815 AD).
The characteristics of The Annotations to the Shuowen Jiezi:
- It corrected the shortcomings of the Shuowen Jiezi by Xu Ke, provided some general principles for the Shuowen Jiezi itself, and criticized the shortcomings of Xu Shen.
- During the annotation process, it paid attention to the historical context and evolutionary patterns of word meanings, as well as the exploration of etymologically related words and the differentiation of synonyms.
- The Annotations to the Shuowen Jiezi was the first annotation work on the Shuowen Jiezi after Xu Kai’s Shuowen Xituan. Among the hundreds of studies on the Shuowen Jiezi in the Qing Dynasty, Duan’s work stood out, demonstrating its extraordinary merits.
- This groundbreaking masterpieceDuan’s life’s efforts, with numerous innovations that had a profound and significant impact on academia. Wang Niansun praised it as “a work unparalleled in the past 1,700 years.”
However, The Annotations to the Shuowen Jiezi also had shortcomings:
- Excessive confidence led to arbitrary modifications of the Shuowen Jiezi without sufficient evidence.
- Over-reliance on Xu Shen’s interpretations and rigid adherence to small seal script forms led to forced explanations.
- Many Qing Dynasty scholars noticed these minor flaws and corrected them in dedicated works. Representative examples include Feng Guifen’s Corrections to Duan’s Annotations to the Shuowen Jiezi, Xu Chengqing’s Rectifications of Errors in Duan’s Annotations to the Shuowen Jiezi, Xu Hao’s Annotations to the Annotations to the Shuowen Jiezi, Nie Shuyu’s Revisions of Duan’s Annotations to the Shuowen Jiezi, and Wang Shaolan’s Supplementary Revisions of Duan’s Annotations to the Shuowen Jiezi.
The Shuowen Jiezi is a work that combines characters with sounds and explanations. Xu Shen’s phonetic annotations (e.g., xingsheng and duoruo) align with ancient pronunciations, sometimes referred to as the original or combined sounds of ancient times. Things are categorized by type, and classified by group. Examining them reveals clear logic. Without understanding the principles of their relationships, one might mistakenly use modern pronunciations to doubt ancient ones, or use ancient original pronunciations to doubt ancient combined pronunciations, obscuring the study of phonetics.
The explanations in the Shuowen Jiezi first list the original meanings of characters and do not neglect loanwords. The phrase “one day” and the cited classics often contain such examples, aiming to broaden knowledge and avoid narrow perspectives. Without understanding the concept of loanwords, one might misinterpret book loanwords as original characters or misinterpret classic loanwords as original characters, obscuring the study of explanations.
My friend Duan Ruoying has a keen understanding of the logic of ancient pronunciations and meticulous analysis. He once wrote The Phonetic Table of the Six Books, establishing 17 phonetic divisions to organize them. Based on this, he wrote The Annotations to the Shuowen Jiezi, analyzing xingsheng and duoruo according to the proximity and relationship of the 17 phonetic divisions, thereby clarifying the principles of phonetics. He understood the essential and interconnected aspects of Xu Shen’s explanations and loanword meanings, citing classics and comparing them with modern versions without discarding loanwords for original characters or replacing original characters with loanwords. His interpretations aligned with the meanings of the classics and the principles of the book, as if they were perfectly matched, thereby clarifying the principles of explanations.
The Guangya is also known as Boya, named after Cao Xian of the Sui Dynasty who wrote the Phonetic Explanations to avoid the taboo name of Emperor Yang of Sui, Yang Guang. The author was Zhang Yi of the Wei Dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period. The current edition of Guangya consists of ten volumes, with its structure and arrangement entirely modeled on the 19 chapters of Erya. The word “Guang” means to extend and supplement, so Guangya is an extension and supplement of Erya. It includes all the words and meanings that Erya omitted or did not cover. Therefore, it is considered a continuation of Erya. According to Zhang Yi’s preface, the book contains 18,150 characters and explains 2,343 terms. Some of the newly added words and terms in Guangya were present in pre-Qin classics but omitted by Erya, while others were newly emerging terms from the late Warring States period to the Wei Dynasty (over 400 years). These newly emerging terms from the Wei Dynasty are of great research and historical value in the history of Chinese vocabulary.
The scope of Guangya includes not only classical texts but also a large number of words from historical records, philosophical works, and collected works. It compiles pre-Qin and Han-Dynasty explanatory materials, including many newly emerging terms that are essential reading for studying vocabulary from the Han and Wei periods. It is a semantic work of the Han and Wei periods and holds significant value in the history of Chinese vocabulary. It compiles explanatory materials from various texts to supplement Erya, and together with Erya, it represents the sum of pre-Qin vocabulary and vocabulary from the Han and Wei periods.
The scholar Cao Yi, a court officer, stated:
“I have heard that in ancient times, the Duke of Zhou inherited the teachings of Tang and Yu, revered and assisted Wen and Wu, conquered and pacified the four seas. He diligently assisted King Cheng, ascended the throne and governed the state, not eating until the sun set and sitting up waiting for dawn. His moral teachings spread far and wide, and the people of Yue Chang offered tributes of exotic fruits and extraordinary grain. Over six years, he established rituals to guide the people. He wrote Erya to explain its meanings and passed it down to future generations. For five hundred years, the ancient classics scattered, but only Erya remained.
In the Three Court Records of the Rites, Duke Ai said, ‘I wish to study small debates to observe governance—is this acceptable?’ Confucius replied, ‘Erya allows one to observe the past and is sufficient for distinguishing words.’ The Spring and Autumn Annals of the Yuanming states, ‘Zixia asked, “Why did the Master not use ‘initial, beginning, first, foundation’ to mean ‘beginning’ in the Spring and Autumn Annals?” Thus, we know it was created by the Duke of Zhou. From then on, it surpassed the six states, overcame the Qin and Chu, and reached the Emperor Liu. The Lu scholar Sun Jun Tong compiled the Rites with texts that did not deviate from antiquity. The three chapters of Erya now circulated may be said to have been added by Confucius, or supplemented by Zixia, or completed by Sun Jun Tong, or examined by Liang Wen of Qiqi: all are interpretations passed down by scholars and the Master’s oral teachings. Since there is no definitive argument, and the words of the sages are uncertain, I remain skeptical.
The Erya is a book with concise text and firm meaning; its exposition is precise and free of error. It is the standard for the seven classics and the ladder of learning for the Confucian school. However, it cannot fully encompass the heavens and earth, govern human affairs, regulate institutions, or explain the terms of the hundred schools. My knowledge is limited, and my words are inadequate. I have carefully selected and compiled from various arts. Words that are the same but have different meanings, words whose pronunciations have changed, and words spoken differently in different regions—those not included in Erya are thoroughly recorded and annotated. There are 18,150 characters, divided into upper, middle, and lower sections. I hope that wise and outstanding scholars will examine both ends, correct any errors, and make proper use of this work.
I, Cao Yi, sincerely and humbly kowtow and repeat, ‘I have sinned, I have sinned.’”
Annotations:
Scholar: An ancient title for a government official, existing since the six states, with slight variations in the Qin, Han, Jin, Tang, and Ming dynasties. Cao Yi served as a scholar during the Taihe era of the Wei Dynasty.
Inherit/Transmit: To inherit and transmit.
Praise: To admire and follow.
Assist: To support and help.
Conquer/Pacify: To conquer and pacify.
Conquer/Defeat: To conquer or defeat.
Diligent: Hardworking and diligent.
Assist: To assist and support.
Ascend the throne: To assume the throne.
Sunset without eating: Not eating until the sun sets, describing hard work.
Sunset: The sun sets, around 2 PM.
Westward: The sun moves westward.
Wait for dawn: To wait for morning.
Moral teachings: Moral education.
Spread: To announce and spread.
Yue Chang: Another name for the ancient southern kingdom, also written as Yue Chang or Yue Chang.
Rest: The ancient character for “come.”
Tribute: To offer something upward, presenting local specialties to the emperor.
Extraordinary grain: Exceptionally lush or robust grain, cited from the Mingzi in the Book of Documents.
Connect: To link or connect.
Establish rituals: To create rituals.
Guide: To guide and advise.
Heirs: Descendants or successors.
Descendants: Descendants or successors.
Years: Years or ages.
Ancient classics: A general term for ancient texts.
Ancient books: The abbreviated term for the “Three Emperors and Five Kings,” referring to the earliest books in Chinese mythology.
: A model of important books, here referring to the “Five Kings,” the five books of the legendary ancient emperors.
Scattered: Lost.
Small debates: A chapter title in the Da Dai Liji.
Erya: Elegant and refined.
Distinguish words: To distinguish words.
Thus: Therefore, relying on this.
From then on: From then on.
Overcome: To overcome or surpass.
Reach: To reach or arrive.
Emperor Liu: Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang.
Compile: To compile or write.
Rites: This refers to the Han Yi compiled by Sun Jun Tong. The Book of the Later Han Dynasty records that Ban Gu presented Sun Jun Tong’s Han Yi with 12 chapters.
A book on auxiliary words: Also known as Zhu Yuci. This is the earliest known specialized work on auxiliary words, written by Lu Yiwěi of the Yuan Dynasty.
Lu Yiwěi: Style name Yuanyu, from Wenzhou Road (now Wenzhou, Zhejiang) in the Yuan Dynasty. There is no record of his life in historical texts, and his birth and death years are unknown. Some speculate he lived in the late Southern Song Dynasty.
Completion time: The book was completed before the first year of the Taiding era of the Yuan Dynasty (1324 AD). The main text of the book now survives with 3,529 characters.
Divided into 66 entries, the book includes over 130 auxiliary words, with 66 monosyllabic auxiliary words and 62 disyllabic auxiliary words and phrases.
Each auxiliary word is explained in detail, analyzing usage and citing classics.
The book categorizes auxiliary words into types such as “interrogative words,” “pronouns,” “prepositions,” “conjunctions,” “adverbs,” “coordinating phrases,” “negating phrases,” “emphatic phrases,” “generalizing phrases,” “temporal phrases,” and “hypothetical phrases.”
“Hu, Yu, Ye, Zai, Fu are interrogative words; Yi, Er, Yan, Ye are decisive words.”
This was said in the past, to explain that using words “should not follow the laws and regulations.” Unfortunately, it was too brief and lacked detail.
My friend Lu Yiwu, using literature to teach others, was concerned that future learners would still misunderstand as those who arbitrarily interpret. Therefore, he collected various auxiliary words, explained them in detail, and made them clear to those who read them. His kindness is profound! How can literature be easily expressed!
Zhuangzi, Zuo, Ma, Ban have different styles; Han, Liu, Ou, Su have different schools, but they all contribute to the sound and connection of words, following the same principles.
If writers do not consider this, how can they write well?
Confused and enlightened, brilliant and magnificent, “formal language” is direct; “subtle language” is indirect. Opening and closing, changes in roles, and the subtle use of words are endless, all controlled by a few auxiliary words. Those who do not understand this are unaware.
Lu Yiwu is strict in his teaching, and I privately admire his disciples.
Huzi read and said, “I will write a preface for you and publish it, so that those who study books may understand its meaning. Please do not limit your kindness.”
To the two or three of you, I openly declare, “Alas, scholars, do you know? This book is not just about auxiliary words but also about the teaching of literary rules. If you obtain this, go back and study it, and you will have more teachers. Strive not to disappoint it.”
In the first month of the first year of the Taiding era, on the 16th day of the 15th day of the 2nd month, Hu Changru of Yongkang wrote at the beginning of the book.
Annotations:
[1] Interrogative words: Also known as “interrogative terms,” words that express interrogative tone. Tang Liu Zongyuan’s Letter to Du Wen states, “I only see the use of auxiliary words that do not follow the laws and regulations. I will answer accordingly. What is meant by ‘Hu, Yu, Ye, Zai, Fu’ is interrogative words; ‘Yi, Er, Yan, Ye’ are decisive words. Now, it is unified.”
Decisive words: Also known as “decisive terms,” auxiliary words that express a decisive tone.
[2] This saying: This understanding or perspective.
Because: Preposition, meaning because, since, due to.
Match: To conform to.
Laws and regulations: General rules and principles.
Develop: To elaborate.
Regret: Regrettable.
Outline: Outline, in general.
Detailed: Detailed.
[3] Lu Yiwu: Lu Yiwu, style name Yuanyu, a Yuan Dynasty scholar who wrote The Book on Auxiliary Words, the earliest specialized work on the usage of auxiliary words.
Child: A respectful term for a person.
Teach: To teach or instruct.
Worry: To worry or be concerned.
Future learners: People studying in the future, later learners.
Afflicted: Originally referring to being sick, here extended to not truly understanding the text.
Suffering: Pronounced chen, meaning illness or defect.
Misinterpret: To arbitrarily interpret.
Therefore: Thus, then.
Collect: To collect.
Auxiliary words: Also known as “empty words,” characters with relatively empty meaning and grammatical significance.
Broaden: To broaden one’s horizons.
Open: Open, spacious.
Understand: To understand or comprehend.