Principle of Etymology

Author: Sun Yongchang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-12-01
Features: This monograph is divided into six chapters, with a structural arrangement that differs from conventional etymological works, showcasing distinctive characteristics. The major breakthrough achieved by Qing scholars in etymology is the approach of using sound to interpret etymology. The book dedicates three chapters to this significant topic, ranging from the principle that "the essence of etymology is rooted in sound" to the relationship between the sound, form, and meaning of characters, and to sections on the shared origin of sound and meaning, presenting a wealth of insights that refresh the reader's perspective. The role of etymology lies in overcoming linguistic and textual barriers in literature. Chapters on the evolution and existence of word meanings offer multifaceted analyses of linguistic meaning change and development, while discussions on the parallel extension and permeation of word meanings introduce particularly novel perspectives. The final chapter explores the relationship between etymology and the sociolinguistic nature of language, applying the theory that language is a social phenomenon to the study of etymology, thereby enriching the work with the theoretical of modern linguistics.