“正名”与中国语言文字学史

“正名”是中国语言学史上最重要的理论之一,同时也是中国政治史上最重要的治国纲领之一。本文力图对这一跨学科的理论进行集大成式的考证和阐释,从更新的角度、更广的视角、更大的格局研究和谱写中国语言文字史与中国语言文字学史。文章分为八个部分:(1)“正名”是“使语言文字正确规范”或“正确规范的语言文字”,也就是辨正名称、名分,使名实相符,它既是一种理论,又是一种行为。(2)“正名”是对语言文字的辨正,也就是对语义进行准确辨析和正确理解,科学把握和使用语言文字,准确区分客观事物。“正名”论认为语言文字与概念和客观事物的关系原本是任意的,这种关系允许变更,从而产生一词多义和方言民族语,但是这种关系又不能轻易变更和经常变更,这就体现为语言文字的规定性和稳定性。(3)“正名”反对以名乱名、以实乱名、以名乱实。(4)“正名”要求通用语言文字既要继承古语,又要体现今语;既要体现雅言,也要关注方俗语。(5)“正名”即由官方确定和规范通用语言文字,唯有最高统治者——圣王才能胜任此项工作。(6)“正名”是历代中央王朝的一项基本国策,是维护王朝大一统的前提条件,是王朝推行通用语言文字的理论基础。(7)“正名”是数千年来中国通用语言文字规范化的主旋律。中国历史上围绕“正名”,形成了一系列以“正”字打头的正音、正义、正字的通用语言文字规范化字典辞书。(8)“正名”产生了一系列《百家姓》性质的通用语言文字教育童蒙识字课本。

“Correct name”is not only one of the most important theories in the history of Chinese linguistics,but also one of the most important governing programs in the history of Chinese politics.This paper tries to conduct a comprehensive textual research and interpretation of this interdisciplinary theory,and to study and compose the history of Chinese language and characters and the history of Chinese language and philology from a newer perspective,a broader perspective and a larger pattern.The article is divided into eight parts:First,“Correct name”refers to“macking language correct and standardized”or“correct and standardized language”,that is,to distinguish name and designation,and make names and facts match.It is both a theory and a behavior;Second,“Correct name”is the discrimination of language and words,that is,the accurate discrimination and Correct understanding of semantics,scientific grasp and use of language and words,accurately distinguish objective things.According to the theory of“Correct name”,the relationship between language and concept and objective things is originally arbitrary,and this relationship is allowed to change,resulting in polysemy and dialect ethnic language.However,this relationship cannot be changed easily or often,which is reflected in the regularity and stability of language;Third,“Correct name”is opposed to using one’s name to distort one’s name,using the facts to distort one’s name,and use one’s name to distort the facts;Fourth,“Correct name”requires that the common language should inherit the ancient language and reflect the modern language;Fifth,“name rectification”means the official determination and standardization of the common language,only the supreme ruler-the holy king can do this job;Sixth,“Correct name”is a basic state policy of the successive central dynasties,a prerequisite for maintaining the great unity of the dynasty,and a theoretical basis for the implementation of common language in the dynasty;Seventh,“Correct name”has been the main theme of the standardization of Chinese common language and characters for thousands of years.In Chinese history,around“Correct name”,a series of standardized dictionaries of common language and characters with correct pronunciation,justice and righteousness starting with“Zheng”have been formed;The eighth,“Correct name”has produced a series of“Hundred Family Names”nature of universal language education literacy books for children.