Semantics

Author: Jia Yande
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-05-01
Features: This book is based on the author's previously published Introduction to Semantics in 1986. The author's original Introduction to Semantics was an immature and relatively superficial small book. Therefore, as soon as the author received the first copies of the book upon its publication in 1986, he had the idea of revising it significantly once conditions were ripe. However, the author approached writing the Introduction to Semantics with seriousness and meticulous care, and many of its fundamental viewpoints, approaches, framework, chapter titles, and even the text and examples still resonate with the author to this day. As long as these elements are sound and appropriate, the author has retained them as the foundation for the new book.
When writing Sinitic Semantics, the author did not focus on preserving anything from the Introduction, but rather dedicated his efforts to supplementing it as much as possible, revising it repeatedly, and exploring new approaches. These efforts are primarily reflected in the author's attempt to lay groundwork for establishing Sinitic semantics. Since the author began researching modern semantics, he has focused on integrating the theories and methods of semantics with Chinese. This was already evident in the Introduction to Semantics, though the integration was not deep enough at that time. In this new book, the author made efforts and attempts in the following aspects:
1. To combine modern Western semantics with Chinese, with the fundamental goal of integrating the theories and methods of modern semantics with materials and practices related to Chinese semantics. Here, the integration with research on Chinese information processing is particularly important. Because Chinese information processing cannot wait for foreign achievements—it must independently address Chinese semantic issues—it requires new theories and methods of semantics. This demands not only borrowing but also innovation; it calls for rigorous testing of the findings from related semantic research over a broad area. In recent years, the author has participated in research on Chinese information processing and has gained preliminary insights and experiences, which have been compiled and included in this book.
2. To study modern semantics without breaking historical continuity, but rather by drawing as much nourishment as possible from traditional semantics and etymology. Although traditional semantics also originated in foreign countries, Chinese scholars have been using it to study Chinese for a long time. In this book, the author paid special attention to incorporating more findings from this field. As for etymology, it is a significant advantage for the author. The author may not be well-versed in etymology, but he highly values the treasure trove of Chinese etymology and has focused on drawing from it in this book.
3. Currently, foreign scholars studying modern semantics are limited to describing modern languages, which is understandable given the immaturity of modern semantics. The focus of the author's research in this book is modern Chinese. However, modern Chinese semantics is a continuation of ancient Chinese semantics, and modern Chinese semantics itself is constantly evolving. Therefore, this book also touches on ancient Chinese and discusses the evolution of Chinese semantics. The theories and methods of modern semantics should not only be applicable to synchronic studies of language but also to diachronic studies, where they can be further tested and enriched.
4. To achieve the above three points, relying solely on existing theories and methods of modern Western semantics is insufficient. In such cases, the author always proposes his own insights and approaches with great caution, always backed by as much Chinese material as possible. Despite the author's efforts in these four aspects, it cannot be said that this book has fully integrated modern semantics with Chinese. Establishing Sinitic semantics is not something the author can accomplish alone, nor is it achievable at his current level. It requires the long-term efforts of all Chinese semantic researchers in the country, as well as the contributions of colleagues studying Chinese semantics overseas.
To write this book, the author referred to and consulted numerous relevant works, papers, and reference books both domestically and internationally, drawing on many viewpoints, insights, and materials. During his participation in academic and research activities, the author received enthusiastic help and inspiration from many experts and peers in linguistics and information processing, for which he is deeply grateful. Although he cannot list them all here, he wishes to express his sincere thanks to them. The students, graduate students, and visiting scholars the author has taught have also shared some enlightening semantic phenomena and insights, to whom he is also grateful.
The author is particularly grateful to Professor Xing Gongwan for his guidance and encouragement in pursuing Chinese semantics research. He is also very grateful to Professor Chen Liwei and Professor Dong Zhen Dong for their guidance and help in participating in information processing research. The author would also like to thank Professor Ye Feisheng for his continuous care and encouragement throughout the writing process of this book. He is grateful for his careful review of the entire manuscript and for writing the preface. Professor Tang Zuofan is also thanked for his thorough review of the manuscript for Chapter 13.
Publishing a textbook or academic work is not an easy task, and the author wishes to express his profound gratitude to Peking University Press and the editor-in-chief of this book, Liang Hueling, for their efforts in making this book available to readers.
As early as the second half of 1986, the author began preparing for writing this book. He started writing in early November 1988 and completed the manuscript in September 1990. Subsequent significant revisions and additions were made, with the final manuscript completed in June 1991. The content of this book was used as a lecture manuscript twice at the Department of Chinese Language and Linguistics, Peking University, once for graduate students in 1988 and once for undergraduate students in 1990.
Modern semantics is an emerging discipline, characterized by rapid changes and broad scope. The author's knowledge is limited, and there are undoubtedly omissions, inaccuracies, and errors in this book. He eagerly awaits the readers' criticism and guidance.
The title of this book is Sinitic Semantics, which indicates that, as a textbook, its nature and direction are oriented toward Chinese semantics, not its level.