A Study On "Wen Shi"

Zhang Taiyan’s "Wen Shi" is an important and innovative work in Chinese etymological history."Wen Shi" is based on Zhang Taiyan’s "Zhuanzhu""Jiajie" theory.It takes "Chu Wen"and"Zhun Chu Wen" as a starting point, takes initials and finals as latitude and longitude coordinates, applies two principles of "Bianyi"and"Ziru"and links words with homologous relations,which shows systematicness and regularity of Chinese vocabulary. However, there is a debate on the value and status of "Wen Shi" in the academic world for a long time, and the negatives are dominant.This dissertation tries to observe "Wen Shi" for re-recognition of its value and contribution in etymological study.This dissertation consists of five chapters:Chapter One is an introduction of the dissertation.The negative evaluation in the academic world excites our interest.We arrange Zhang Taiyan’s life story and his linguistic contribution, pointing out that Zhang Taiyan is the last famous scholar in ancient phonology of Qing Dynasty and the founder of modern Chinese philology."Wen Shi"is an inquiry into etymology.Its basis of initials and finals is twenty one ancient initials and twenty three ancient finals stated by Zhang Taiyan.Its theory foundation is"Zhuanzhu""Jiajie" theory and two principles of "Bianyi"and"Ziru"is throughout the dissertation.We arrange the debates in the academic world around the establishment of "Chu Wen"and"Zhun Chu Wen",the methodology of "Wen Shi’", Zhang Taiyan’s ancient Chinese phonology and transformation theory. Especially, the problem of rejecting oracle bone inscriptions is studied.We consider that Zhang Taiyan’s attitudes to oracle bone inscriptions had changed in old age.He began to acknowledge the earliest oracle bone got by Liu Tieyun is not a forgery.He didn’t absorb the achievements of oracle bone inscriptions mainly because of his meticulous scholarship and academic background.In addition,we discuss the version of "Wen Shi", the phonological,semantic inspection standard and concrete implementation steps.Chapter Two aims at studying "Chu Wen"and"Zhun Chu Wen".We study their definitions, especially question the third kind of "Zhun Chu Wen".We also first fully and faithfully find out510"Chu Wen"and"Zhun Chu Wen"in" Wen Shi" and observe the distribution.After carefully investigating on formal structure type,We pointed out11mistakes in Zhang Taiyan’s analysis.In addition, we research on "Chu Wen"and"Zhun Chu Wen"with the aid of unearthed literature,finding out that18"Chu Wen"and"Zhun Chu Wen" does not meet standards. Thus, there is492"Chu Wen"and"Zhun Chu Wen" which meet standards.On this basis,we make a chart for them.Chapter Three is to test5910words in "Wen Shi" from phonological and semantic aspects.We find out that5398words have phonological transformation relationship,with the proportion of91.3%.On the basis of phonological screening result,we test again from semantic aspects, reject questionable ones.According to statistics,there is5157words left,which have both phonological and semantic kinship,with the proportion of87.3%.Thus,most of the homologous words linked in "Wen Shi" axe more reliable,which fully depicts successful application of Zhang Taiyan’s methodology considering a word’s figure, pronunciation and meaning need to be viewed in context with each other.Chapter Four studys the semantic relations and derived types of homologous words in "Wen Shi",pointing out that the types of semantic relations are identical, contrary and interlinking and semantic derived types are isolated, interlocking, radiant and comprehensive.Chapter Five is the conclusion.concluding remarks and clearing argument.