Newly compiled Chinese Synonym Dictionary

Author: Zhou Yaohong, edited by Zhou Tieqiang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-04-01
Features: Synonyms, as a linguistic phenomenon, are various languages worldwide. Chinese is one of the oldest languages in history. Chinese boasts a rich repertoire of synonyms. Ancient Chinese scholars have long recognized the phenomenon of synonyms. Zhuangzi pointed out in Zhi Bei You: "Zhou, Bian, and Xian are different names but the same reality; their reference is one." Using synonyms to explain word meanings was an important method of lexical interpretation in ancient China and the origin of synonym research in Chinese. The earliest existing Chinese lexicographical work, Erya, primarily employed the method of explaining words through synonyms, pioneering horizontal comparisons of synonyms. Statistics show that the first three parts of Erya—Shi Guo (Explanations of Words), Shi Yan (Explanations of Speech), and Shi Xun (Explanations of Discourse)—contain 578 synonym groups, covering 2,028 words. Following Erya, other lexicographical works in the Ya Xue tradition inherited and expanded upon its methods. Zhang Yi's Gang Ya from the early Wei Dynasty included 504 synonym groups in its Shi Guo section alone, with each group containing dozens of words. Zhu Mouwei's Pian Ya from the Ming Dynasty focused on disyllabic words, demonstrating the trend of synonyms evolving from monosyllabic to disyllabic forms. In the Qing Dynasty, Wang Niansun's Gang Ya Shu Zheng, Hao Yi's Erya Yi Shu, and Hong Liangji's Bi Ya paid particular attention to the differentiation of synonym meanings. Not only did Ya Xue lexicographical works use synonyms to explain meanings, but ancient Chinese character dictionaries also recognized the cognitive function of synonyms. Xu Shen's Shu Wen Jie Zi from the Eastern Han Dynasty often grouped synonyms together under the same radical, frequently employing mutual explanation through synonyms and occasionally providing brief distinctions. In the Qing Dynasty, works like Duan Yucai's Shu Wen Jie Zi Zhu and Zhu Junsheng's Shu Wen Tong Xun Ding Sheng further refined the differentiation of synonyms based on Xu Shen's original interpretations. Some ancient Chinese texts also focused on synonym phenomena and the differentiation of their meanings. For example, in the Zuo Zhuan, Zhuang Gong Er Shi (29th Year): "When an army has bells and drums, it is called 'fa' (attack); without them, it is called 'qin' (invasion); lightly, it is called 'xi' (raiding)." In Wen Gong Qi Shi (7th Year): "When warfare breaks out internally, it is called 'luan' (disorder); externally, it is called 'kou' (raiding)." In Xiang Gong Si Shi (4th Year): "Consulting the good is called 'zi'; consulting relatives is called 'xun'; consulting etiquette is called 'du'; consulting matters is called 'ye'; consulting difficulties is called 'nan'." In Li Ji, Qu Li (Etiquette): "The death of an emperor is called 'beng'; of a feudal lord, 'xian'; of a high official, 'su'; of a scholar, 'bu lu'; and of the common people, 'si'." In the commentaries on these classical texts, there are even more detailed analyses of synonyms. For instance, in the Book of Songs, Da Ya, Gong Liu: "Yu nang, yu nang." Mao's commentary: "Small is called 'nang'; large is called 'nang.'" Also: "Yu Shi Yan Yan, Yu Shi Yu Yu." Mao's commentary: "Speaking directly is called 'yan'; discussing and debating is called 'yu.'" In the Analects, Xue Er: "Friends come from afar." Zheng Xuan's annotation: "Friends are those of the same school; companions in purpose are called 'you'." Qu Yuan's Li Sao: "I have no difficulty with separation, but I grieve the transformations of Ling Xiu." Wang Yi's annotation: "Near is called 'li'; far is called 'bie'." Ancient Chinese scholars had already proposed the concepts of "duiwen" (parallel text), "sanwen" (narrative text), "hunyan" (general term), and "xiayan" (specific term) when differentiating word meanings. For example, in Erya, Shi Cao (Explanation of Grass): "Wood is called 'hua'; grass is called 'rong.'" Xing Bing's annotation in the Song Dynasty: "This is parallel text. Separately, grass is also called 'hua.' As in the Zheng Feng (Wind of Zheng): 'Yi you hehua' (there are lotus flowers)." In Shu Wen (Palace): "Gong, shi also." Duan Yucai's annotation in the Qing Dynasty: "Gong refers to the outer enclosure; shi refers to the inner part. When differentiated, they are distinct; when generalized, they are not separate." Also: "Guo, bang also." Duan Yucai's annotation: "In the 'Biang' section of Yi Ya (State): 'Bang, guo also.' According to the commentary: 'Large is called 'bang'; small is called 'guo.' The place where 'bang' resides is also called 'guo.' When differentiated, they are distinct; when generalized, they are not separate.'" Ancient scholars not only paid attention to the subtle differences between synonym meanings but also recognized the historical evolution of synonyms. For example, in Erya, Shi Tian (Explanation of Heaven): "Zai, sui also. In the Xia Dynasty, it is called 'sui'; in the Shang Dynasty, 'si'; in the Zhou Dynasty, 'nian'; in Tang and Yu, 'zai'." In Mencius, Teng Wen Gong Shang (Upper Part of Wen Gong): "In the Xia Dynasty, it is called 'xiao'; in the Shang Dynasty, 'xu'; in the Zhou Dynasty, 'yang.' Learning is shared by the three dynasties." In Shu Wen (Hall): "Gong, dian also." Duan Yucai's annotation: "Dian refers to the sound of striking. It is used as a loanword for 'palace' and 'hall.' Xu used 'dian' to explain 'gong' because he explained the present in terms of the past. In ancient times, it was called 'gong'; after the Han Dynasty, it was called 'dian.' In ancient times, both above and below were called 'gong'; after the Han Dynasty, both above and below were called 'dian.' After the Tang Dynasty, no subject could call it 'dian'." Also: "Ju, lu also." Duan Yucai's annotation: "Cai Mo of Jin said: 'What is now called 'lu' was called 'ju' before the Han Dynasty.'" According to Cai's saying, it is very precise. In the Book of Changes, Book of Songs, Three Rites, Spring and Autumn Annals, and Mencius, it is called 'ju'; it is not called 'lu.' In the late Zhou Dynasty, the writings of the Hundred Schools and Han Dynasty texts began to use 'lu.' In the Book of Songs and Book of Changes, there are three 'lu,' all referring to stepping. Therefore, 'lu' originally meant stepping, but later became the name for 'ju.' The words have evolved over time. Xu used the present to explain the past, so he said that ancient 'ju' is the same as modern 'lu'." The exploration of synonym meaning differentiation by ancient scholars, though sometimes indiscriminate between generalizing word meanings and interpreting contextually, had limited depth and breadth in tracing origins. Nevertheless, this exploration laid the foundation for synonym research and provided great inspiration for studying synonym phenomena in Chinese. The compilation of synonym dictionaries is a practical outcome of people's understanding and research of synonym phenomena and an important tool for promoting language standardization and improving linguistic cultivation. Therefore, people regard the compilation of synonym dictionaries as an important indicator of cultural development. Ancient China has always placed great importance on the collection, organization, compilation, and differentiation of synonyms. Represented by Erya, lexicographical works in the Ya Xue tradition have essentially taken the form of synonym dictionaries, which is why some countries' encyclopedias refer to them as "Synonym Dictionaries." Professor Lü Shuxiang proposed the compilation of a modern synonym dictionary in 1955, and Professor Zhang Zhiyi's Jian Ming Synonym Dictionary is one of the earlier such works. Following it, works like Professor Liu Shuxin's Modern Chinese Synonym Dictionary were also published. The Newly Compiled Synonym Dictionary by Shanghai Yuedong Publishing House has now been completed and published. Grateful for the kind invitation of the editors, I humbly offer a brief discussion on the origins of synonym research. Regarding the general outline and development trends of synonym research in Chinese, I have another article, An Overview of Synonym Research, to discuss this, but due to space constraints, I will not elaborate on it here.