The Study On Zhengzitong

Zhengzitong(《正字通》)written by Zhang Zilie (Ming Dynasty) (张自烈) is a famous writings which explains the form, meaning and pronunciation of Chinese characters. It forms a connecting link between the preceding one, Zihu(i《字汇》) and the following one, Kangxi dictionar(y《康熙字典》). It is a great significance to the study of Chinese lexicography, philology, phonology and exegetics. Heretofore, seldom people have made research on Zhengzitong(《正字通》)in all of aspects. We can now find some disquisitions which are only involved to a certain aspect of Zhengzitong(《正字通》). This paper is trying to study Zhengzitong(《正字通》)following four points systematically. Frist, the brief introduction of Zhengzitong(《正字通》). Its author is Zhang Zilie(张自烈), Ming Dynasty. But the scholar of Qing Dynasty, Liao Wenying(廖文英)amends it to some certain extents. The main purpose of compiling Zhengzitong(《正字通》)is to supplement the shortcomings of Zihui(《字汇》).Its principle of including what kind of words is to give consideration to both the ancient and the present, and to suit both refined and popular tastes. Second, the style and explanation of Zhengzitong(《正字通》). This part includes the style, the pronunciation and terminology system. So many variant forms of Chinese characters can show the evolution process of Chinese characters. It also shows that Zhengzitong(《正字通》)is very popular and practical. Zhengzitong(《正字通》)cites many books for proofs, so the materials are very plentiful. It cites many Buddhist scripture books, medical books, technical ones and so on, besides the "Sibu(四部)". So it gives us a chance to enlarger our range of knowledge, and lets us know many different ideas. Third, the comparison between Zhengzitong(《正字通》) and Zihu(i《字汇》). The paper compares the two books from compiling style, including rules, phonetic notation, explanation of the meaning, etc. Zhengzitong(《正字通》)and Zihui(《字汇》)consult each other, but the former adjusts the compiling order of the latter in explaining the meaning and arranging the arguments of the book. This kind of order is more scientific. Zhengzitong(《正字通》)'s including rule is according to the ancient and also pays attention to the present. It really can reflect the real situation of Chinese characters'development. The alteration to the pronunciation of Zihui(《字汇》)reflects the phonetic system of Gan dialect in 1600s, so it offers the important materials to study the Gan dialect in this period. Last, the achievement, value and weakness of Zhengzitong(《正字通》). Zhengzitong(《正字通》)supplements the shortcomings of Zihui(《字汇》)and corrects the wrong parts of it. Zhengzitong(《正字通》)inherits the past and ushers in the future. It gives a great influence to the study of Chinese characters. But owing to the historical limits, Zhengziton(g《正字通》)also has some shortcomings and weakness.