关于成语用变和演变的思考——从几则成语的现实使用谈起

On Changes of Application and Development of Idioms

本文以在现实使用中争议颇多的三则成语为例,通过对它们现实使用情况的详细刻画来探讨成语用变和演变的原因、关系和价值。文章首先概括出围绕这几则成语的现实使用所引发的争议,指出其中存在的问题,接着重点描写了借形赋义、借形衍义、因义化形这三种成语用变方式及其相关后果,在此基础上对成语用变的规范化原则提出新的思考。文章由此提出,只有加强对词语用变空间和演变路径的充分描写,才能充分展示理论的解释力和预见性。

Taking for example three Chinese idioms disputable in their practical uses, The essay probes into the cause, relationship and value of the changes of application and develop ment of Chinese idioms by means of detailed description of their practical uses. The author first outlines the disputes arising from the practical uses of the three Chinese idioms, and points out the problems. Then it mainly gives description of following changes of the application of Chinese idioms and their relevant consequences： bestowing a new meaning on a word without changing the word form, extending the meaning of a word without changing the word form, and readjusting the word form in light of the new meaning of a word. On the basis of that, the author gives a reconsideration of the principles of the normalization of the changes about Chinese idiom application.