Works of Hong Cheng

Author: Hong Cheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-09-01
Features:
Hearing from the teacher: Scholars of etymology cannot be separated from sound and characters, as the three aspects of form, sound, and meaning can be interconnected and proven. Duan Yucai applied sound to characters, and thus understood the distinction between borrowed characters, extension, and original characters and meanings. Wang Niansun and his son elucidated etymology through sound, and thus recognized that sound and etymology are an integral whole. This statement is truly apt and reasonable. My friend Hong Jun Ziming possessed extraordinary talent from a young age and was diligent in his studies. When he served Huang Jun of Qichun, his learning greatly advanced. He had long been engaged in the study of characters and phonology, and was thoroughly familiar with the Nine Classics and Three Histories. His explanations of institutions, names, and objects were as familiar as counting one's own treasures, and he could speak eloquently on the subject. As a fellow scholar, I was honored to hear his insights and clarifications, which brought me great joy.
In 1979, Hong Jun completed his book Etymology. I received and read it. The book consists of six chapters, each divided into detailed sections, discussing the accurate interpretations of predecessors and elaborating on the essence of his own theories. Every statement is well-supported, and every expression is clear. When there were borrowed characters, he connected them through sound; when there were transmitted errors in texts, he corrected them through textual criticism. This can be said to be a meticulous examination of both literature and logic, reaching the pinnacle of etymology. Additionally, he wrote an essay titled Miscellaneous Discussions on Etymology, explaining the principles of etymology and guiding the path for scholars, which is something they should prioritize.