The Study On Distinction Marks In The Inscriptions On Bones And Tortoise Shells And Inscriptions On Bronzes

There is a category of characters in the inscriptions on bones and tortoise shells and inscriptions on bronzes that formed by adding distinction marks on the original characters,which is called xingzhizi.In this article,we chose shape of 口 distinction mark as our research subject,and analysed the formed by adding shape of 口distinction marks.In order to deepen our cognitions on this configuration,we gave some examples of xingzhizi formed by adding other shape of distinction marks,such as shape of=,shape of 工,shape of（?）,etc.The introduction mainly summarizes the research status;at the same time,it is pointed out that the distinction mark does not have the character of symbol.Therefore,we call "distinction sign" as distinction mark",and call the word added distinction mark as "xingzhizhi".The first chapter analyzes the main functions of distinction marks:（1）distinguishing homologous words;（2）breeding and differentiating;（3）distinguishing the characters with similar shapes;（4）Simplifing the glyph.Homologous characters are defined from the perspective of character standard:a group of words with homologous relation in the form can be called homologous characters in the broad sense.Homologous characters and cognate words are intersecting relationIn second chapter,based on the analysis of the relationship between xingzhizi and ideographic character,phonetic loan character,phonogram,we pointe that xingzhizi is a special type and play a transitional role in the development of Chinese characters.The third chapter pointes out some issues that should be paid attention to when studying distinction mark.（1）The distinction mark has limited function.（2）Breeding and differentiating of inscriptions on bones and tortoise shells and inscriptions on bronzes follows an irreversible law.（3）There are differences between xingzhizi and indicative character,and between distinction mark and indication mark.（4）There are also differences between distinction mark and decorative mark.The last chapter of this paper showes the differentiation situation of some ancient chinses characters,including differentiation period,specific use,mixed use,etc.The case analysis of the fourth chapter is the theoretical basis of the first three chapters.The paper made an in-depth analysis of the nature and function of distinction mark.At the same time,it closely linked the relationship between language and characters,the relationship between Chinese character configuration and differentiation,and put the way of adding distinction mark in the context of the development of Chinese character configuration.The research on distinction mark and xingzhizi can not only clarify the principles of some Chinese characters,but also help us to understand some characteristics and rules of the differentiation of ancient Chinese characters.