論“比”字差比句式的産生時代及其來源

On the Emergence and Origin of the bi(比)Comparative Construction

以往對"比"字差比句式的研究主要關注"X比YA"這一種形式。學界一般認爲此句式的形成時代不會早於唐代,其中的比較結果A受副詞修飾或者後面帶數量補語更是之後的發展。本文從表達差比意義這一點出發,通過調查大量漢代至初唐的注疏、史書等文獻,認爲此一時期的"比"字差比句式有"X比於YA""X比於Y爲A""X比YA"和"X比Y爲A"四種。隨着介詞"於"的衰落,漢至初唐的差比句主要是"X比YA"和"X比Y爲A"。"X比YA"在東漢時期已經有不少用例,至晚在南北朝時期(6世紀早期)就已經很成熟。"X比Y爲A"是東漢以來常用的差比句式,它與"X比YA"句式意義相同,語法功能相似,在經濟原則的驅動下脱落準繫詞"爲",與前一句式合流。與"比"字差比句式平行的還有"X方YA""X方Y爲A"和"X對Y爲A"等句式,但這些句式的使用不如"比"字差比句式廣泛,最終在競争中消失。

Previous studies on the"bi比"comparative construction focus mainly on the"Xbi YA"form,and it is widely accepted by the academe that this construction was established no earlier than the Tang period,and that it is not until after that period that the result of comparison A can be modified by adverbs or complemented by numerical expressions.Focusing on the expression of superiority,this paper investigates large amount of documentaries range from the Han dynasty to the early period of Tang,including commentaries on classics and historical texts,and concludes that there are mainly four"bi"comparative constructions,i.e.,"Xbi yu於YA","Xbi yu Y wei爲A","Xbi YA"and"X bi Y wei A".With the fall of the preposition"yu",the"Xbi Y A"and"Xbi Y wei A"constructions become dominant through the Han times to the Early Tang.Instances of"X bi Y A"construction are not rare in materials of East Han period,and this construction has matured as early as the Northern and Southern Dynasties(early 6 th century).The latter construction has been widely used since the East Han period,and it has the same meaning and similar grammatical function with the former.Under the principle of economy,the quasi-copula wei in this construction drops and it merges with the former form.Constructions like"X fang方Y wei A"and"Xdui對Y wei A"are also parallel to the"bi"comparative construction,but they are not as frequently used as the latter,and has eventually vanished during their competition.