Exploring Language Arts

Author: Xu Danhui / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-06-01
Features: Zero degree and deviation are important concepts in French new rhetoric and the Liège School of rhetoric. Xi Jie adapted them for the Chinese rhetorical system and proposed the transformation between positive and negative deviations and various forms of deviation, which holds pioneering significance. He regarded all linguistic rules and norms as an ideal zero degree state, and positive deviation is an artistic deviation from this zero degree state. Negative deviation "is a linguistic error and a deviation that does not conform to the principle of appropriateness." Positive deviation ultimately solidifies into rhetorical figures. It is evident that Professor Wang Xi Jie, on the backdrop of the four worlds, uses a zero-degree and deviation axis (1—0—-1) to connect all levels of rhetorical phenomena and activities, achieving the principle of combining micro and macro, complexity and simplicity, and dynamic and static elements. Hu Yushu said: "He pursues a correspondence model between constants and variables in a multi-layered rhetorical relationship network." Indeed, his words are spot on. Inspired by transformational-generative grammar theory and subconscious psychology theory, to demonstrate the infinite generative capacity of rhetorical phenomena, he introduced the concepts of explicit and implicit, and explored the conditions for the explicitation of sublanguage and the implicitation of manifest language. He emphasizes the role of combinatorial means, believing that there exists a vast potential combinatorial field for selection within the combinatorial discourse structure. Therefore, he proposed establishing linguistic predictionology and rhetorical predictionology, reflecting his repeated emphasis on the important view of "developing linguistic resources," which represents a major methodological breakthrough. Within this theoretical system, Wang Xi Jie also distinguished a series of ambiguous concepts and issues. For example, the distinction between rhetoric and pragmatics, he analyzed it clearly using a simple formula: "Pragmatics = rhetorical hermeneutics." Regarding the highest principle of rhetoric—appropriateness—he considered it superior to accuracy, vividness, and vividness. Because in some contexts, as long as the principle of appropriateness is met, vagueness, stiffness, and dryness can also produce good rhetorical effects. His generalizations on the definitions of style and style are also highly persuasive.
Secondly, his theoretical system is very rigorous and comprehensive. He applies dialectics everywhere, considering the contradictory aspects of any phenomenon and all factors that contribute to a certain phenomenon. For example, after a long period of "argument-centered rhetoric," some began to undervalue the study of rhetorical figures, leading to this overcorrected situation. He pointed out: "Rhetorical figures have always been, are, and will remain the important content of rhetoric." He first proposed the concepts of "negative rhetorical figures," "diseased figures," and "potential rhetorical figures," and pointed out the neutralizing characteristics of rhetorical figures. He keenly observed that rhetorical figures are also one of the common methods for creating Chinese characters. He also explored negative rhetoric; he advocated establishing negative rhetoric to overcome speech errors in communication, avoid the reduction of discourse expression effects, and closely link rhetorical theory and practice. These bold explorations and proposals are highly meaningful.
Furthermore, his theoretical system emphasizes openness and generativity. Rhetoric is an interdisciplinary field that can widely absorb academic achievements from other disciplines, while internally, it is in a state of constant movement and change, both of which constitute the open nature of the rhetorical system. Wang Xi Jie also emphasizes the principles of economy and simplification in the system. "General Theory of Rhetoric" requires its basic concepts to be productive, from which secondary and tertiary concepts can be derived," and a few simple concepts can encompass a complex system. This strong generative capacity is one of the important indicators of the scientific level of the system. At the same time, his system demonstrates the conditions for the transformation of potential rhetoric into manifest rhetoric, pointing out that the generative process of rhetorical phenomena "from potential to manifest" is an important object of rhetorical research.
II. Rigorous Scientific Methodology
Facing the long-standing lag of rhetoric behind other disciplines and its difficulty in overcoming its own constraints, Wang Xi Jie sought breakthroughs in methodology. He inherited the approach of Mr. Wang Liangdao. Mr. Wang Xi Jie's thoughts are exceptionally broad and active. Although grounded in the compass of rhetoric, he never forgets its close ties with surrounding disciplines. In addition to philosophical and logical methods, he drew on research methods from information theory, cybernetics, systems theory, and other natural sciences. He applied the encoding and decoding processes of information in speech act models to rhetorical research; he first proposed concepts such as "information variation figures," "information surplus figures," and "information deficit figures." The elements in his theoretical system are interdependent and mutually constrained, all reflecting the principles of the three theories. He also introduced the fundamental concepts of "identity" and "differentiality" from various disciplines into rhetoric to explain the selection of synonymous means. He linked linguistics and literature, proposing concepts such as "imagery figures." In summary, with his rich multidisciplinary knowledge, he injected strong scientific momentum into linguistics, striving to achieve a perfect combination of the scientific and humanistic aspects of rhetoric.
Regarding the study of language itself, Mr. Xi Jie not only continued to use traditional inductive methods but also boldly employed deductive scientific methods. "Honestly, induction and deduction, in their names alone, are familiar to anyone with a slight understanding of science, but once applied by Mr. Wang to the study of rhetorical figures, it can be described as a stunning stroke—like a peak emerging from the distance, revealing countless landscapes." Although traditional inductive methods have many advantages, they also have shortcomings: they follow facts, lack foresight; classification is prone to overlap; and they lack formal logical markers, etc. Therefore, when he focused on all possible potential deviation forms in language use, he had to use deductive methods to establish a matrix of deviation, or what he called an "elementary periodic table," "to test existing linguistic facts, explain possible rhetorical phenomena, and predict the major trends of the development of rhetorical laws." On this basis, he advocated establishing linguistic predictionology and rhetorical predictionology to guide people's language practice. Einstein once said, "The premise of scientific success is the courage to deny the theories of predecessors, to boldly make probabilistic assumptions, and to gradually verify them." Therefore, Mr. Wang Xi Jie's theory has taken a significant step toward scientific activity.
Mr. Wang Xi Jie applied the transformation-generative grammar established by Chomsky to rhetoric, opening up new horizons for the study of synonymous means. All rhetorical methods and techniques derived from the same deep structure are considered synonymous means. Rhetoric is the selection within synonymous means formed by positive deviation domains and negative deviation domains. Mr. Wang Xi Jie's ability to turn "iron into gold" stems from his profound expertise in linguistic and grammatical theories. In the "General Theory," he also applied the commonly used "idealization" method in linguistics, which involves using a vacuum analysis approach to remove impure substances from the analysis and simplify all research processes. This is a "reliable and highly productive form of understanding things." Using idealization, he derived two important concepts—"zero degree" and "deviation"—which are crucial for establishing a new rhetorical theoretical system. The application of scientific methodology has advanced rhetoric from static research to a dynamic and static combined approach. "Rhetoric is an important component of the study of linguistic dynamics or linguistic kinetics." From zero degree to the transformation of positive and negative deviations, the interconversion between manifest and potential rhetoric, the dynamic selection of synonymous means, the cross-penetration of styles, the differentiation and combination of rhetorical figures, and all elements begin to flow, interacting within his system, giving it great inclusivity and flexibility.
III. Abundant Ancient and Modern Language Materials
Reading Mr. Wang Xi Jie's works, one can feel his pulse everywhere. On one hand, this is because he has a deep love and attachment to linguistics, and his words are infused with arduous efforts and sincere expectations. He quoted the words of Russian poet Nadson: "The greatest suffering in life is the suffering of language," and he himself experienced this suffering, overcame the "barrier of language," and finally completed this work. Therefore, readers who have read this book will surely be moved by it and pay more attention to linguistics, investing more time and effort—a goal that Mr. Wang Xi Jie holds most dear. On the other hand, he is knowledgeable in multidisciplinary fields, with a vast memory, and cites references naturally and effortlessly in his writings. For every controversial definition he explains, he quotes five to ten definitions from different perspectives before proposing his own view. His language is vivid and engaging, full of charm, making him a rare figure who combines both a rhetorical scholar and a rhetorical master.