A Study On Motivation Of Shi Ming

"Shi Ming", together with "ErYa", "ShuoWen" is called Key Classic book of critical interpretation of ancient texts. It is "Shi Ming" that for the first time compiled a lexicon for morphemes themselves, chiefly collected common words arranged scientifically and systematically, and explained the motivation of words. Consequently, it is more mature than "ErYa" and "Shuo Wen" in the sense of lexicography.The study of"Shi Ming" originated from Weizhao,a scholar in the Three Kingdom Dynasty.From Jing Dynasty to Ming Dynasty, it was much valued and quoted mainly in encyclopedia, lexicon, and books on phoneme and meaning .It also exerted an influence upon the emerging of "You Wen Theory" in Song Dynasty and the study of motivation to the names ofthings in the "Compendium of Materia Medica by Li Shi-zhen in Ming Dynasty.Qing Dynasty is the flourishing period of "Shi Ming', achieving enormous accomplishment, After May 4th 1919 ,the study of Shi Ming experienced difficulties. However, generally speaking, the study has become more comprehensive and deeper.Exactly speaking, "Shi Ming" is a lexicon of motivation ,for "Shengxun", explanatory notes from the sound of a character, is one of the approaches to probe the motivation of words . It is not a dictionary of etymology in a strict sense. It declared openly in the "Preface of Shi Ming" that it was aimed to disclose the reason of things naming, i.e. motivation. And "Shi Ming" itself also gives expression to this purpose.The explanation in "Shi Ming" refers to all versions available, making no wild guesses. Simultaneously, it does not rigidly adhere to the versions .The authors learning is solid, his study attitude serious and strict.In Shi Ming,the understanding of motivation and the approach to probe motivation, such as exploring the meaning of words from their sounds, disclosing the objective basis of things naming ,are all scientific.The types of motivation in "Shi Ming" can be divided into the motivation of sound imitation; motivation of form imitation, loanword motivation, derivative word and compound word motivation.The motivation of bound imitation, some imitate the sound of natural phenomenon,some the sound of musical instrument, some the tool of production, some the human being's physical organs etc. The motivation of form imitation is to imitate the shape of the thing. Loan word motivation comes from other languages. The derivative motivation explains certain connection between the two words in sound, meaning, form and grammar.The compound word motivation can be subdivided into paradigmatic compound word motivation, relative compound word motivation ambiguity in morpheme relation compound word motivation. The motivation of the three quarters explained words disclosed in "Shi Ming" holds water. Shi Ming" is a trustworthy Lexicon.To bejustif~'ing, these certainly exist some defects in the motivation study in "Sh I Ming~: one is material in efficiency, The author is occasional far-fetched interpretation. However the defects can met obscure its virtues. The meriterous service of"Shi Ming" is independent of time.