汉字的性质和优点

The Nature and Merits of Chinese Characters

吕叔湘先生按照文字代表语言的方式来分类,认为汉字是语素文字,本文作者同意吕先生的观点。裘锡圭主张“一种文字的性质就是由这种文字所使用的符号的性质决定的”,这种看法是不正确的。根据字符的性质确定的是文字的内部结构,不是文字的性质。按照裘锡圭的理论,英文应该是音符文字,可是他同意英文是音素文字,这采用的正是吕先生的观点。汉字的优点主要有:一、可以区分同音语素;二、可以随着汉语的发展而及时调整,始终能完满地记录汉语;三、带有丰富的汉文化;四、具有一定的超越空间和时间的能力。

Lv Shuxiang considers Chinese character as morphemic script according to the way of characters representing languages.We agree with Mr.Lv.It is incorrect that Qiu Xigui has said"the nature of a writing system is determined by the symbols used in it".It is the internal structure of characters but not the nature that is determined by the nature of graphic symbols.According to Mr.Qiu’s theory,English should be phonetic script,but he agrees that it is phonemic script on the basis of Mr.Lv’s theory.There are four merits of Chinese characters,including of distinguishing morphemes with same pronunciation,adjusting timely as Chinese develops and always recording Chinese fully,containing abundant Chinese culture,and having the ability to transcend spatial and temporal limitations.