现代汉字字形三论

On the Structure of Modern Chinese Characters from Three Aspects

现代汉字的构件依其功能的不同可分为词符、义符、音符和记号四类,独立构成单字的构件不应定为不表音义的记号,而是兼表音义的词符。现代汉字义符与被构字的意义关系有固定的模式和规律,共分十一类。音符构成情况复杂,包括多音音符、成字音符、非字音符、变读音符等。

According to the difference of its function, the component of modern Chinese characters can be divided into four categories:word-sign,semanteme, phonogram, and mark. The component forming the character alone cannot be defined as “mark” which represents neither phoneme nor semanteme; instead, it should be defined as “word-sign” which represents both phonogram and semanteme. The relationship between the semanteme of the modern Chinese character and the meaning of the formed word has stable patterns and regulations, which can be divided into eleven categories. The forming of phonogram is complicated, including the polyphonetic phonogram, the phonogram that can form a word alone, the phonogram that cannot form a word alone, and the phonogram that can change the sound according to its use, etc.