Journal of Linguistics (Volume 25)

Author: Editorial Committee of This Book
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-07-01
Features: Based on the discussions on language by Chinese pre-Qin and Greek classical period thinkers, this book summarizes and organizes the basic language concepts of pre-Qin and ancient Greek philosophers. By comparing the two, it explores the relationship between this initial grasp of language and the linguistic features researchers face, arguing for the fundamental differences in the traditions of linguistic research formed on this basis. It aims to achieve a deep understanding of the differences in language structures by tracing the origins of linguistic research traditions. The earliest language concepts can be traced back to early language myths. However, the earliest rational explanations of language are attributed to early philosophers. Although the early philosophers' discussions on language lack systematic completeness and are often scattered throughout their philosophical works, their initial understanding of language and their methods of explaining it form the foundation of later linguistic research. Here, we will compare the differences in language concepts between Chinese pre-Qin and classical Greek periods and further examine the relationship between these differences and their respective linguistic structural features.