试评文字类型学中的“三相说”

On Triple Aspects Theory in Typology of Writing Systems

周有光的文字类型三相说认为,文字有符形相、语段相和表达相,文字按表达相分为表形、表意、表音、意形混合、意音混合诸种。这种分类法是不科学的。文字符号具有能指(书面形体)和所指(语言及语音单位)两个基本要素。所指的性质是区分文字类型的主要依据,首先分为实符文字和虚符文字,然后从前者分出词字和语素字,从后者分出音节符号和音素符号。三相说的缺陷使它错误地把汉字和日文一同列入意音文字。日文混用汉字和假名,可说是实符虚符兼用的(或意音)文字。汉字是只用一套符号的实符文字(表意文字),虽吸收了少量外来词,但决不能说它已具有表音文字的性质。

Triple aspects theory in typology of writing systems is advocated by Zhou Youguang.According to the theory every writing system has theree aspects:symmbolic sign,text,expres sion.On the basis of expression aspect all writing systems can be classified into pictography,ideography, alphabetic writing and many mixed systems.But the theory is not scientific.All writing systems have only two aspects:signifier and signified.The specialties of the signified are the grounds of classification .The shortcoming of the theory leads it to a mistake.It unreasonably classifies Chinese characters and Japanese writing system under the same type:ideo-alphabetic system.Japanese writing system contains Chinese characters and Japanese syllabary(Kana)and is therefore a mixed system.Chinese characters are absolutely an ideography system.A small amount of alienism in it has not changed its type.