论文字五种定义的适用性与局限性

The Applicability and Limitations of Characters' Five Definitions

"文字"这个术语,蕴含着五种不同的概念:一、泛文字概念。文字是指所有的人为了用来帮助人们进行认识、记录、交际和管理的视觉符号。二、一般概念文字概念。文字是指代表语言的视觉书写符号。三、广文字概念。文字不仅包括一般的文字,而且包括书面语中那些不标音,只单纯表意的视觉图符。四、片面文字概念,文字是指字形。五、超文字概念。文字涵盖人类所有的认知、体验表达的方式乃至实践对象本身。这些不同的概念,各有各的产生背景,各有各的适用场合,在使用中,应该对它们明确界定,正确使用,避免概念混淆。

The terminology Character has five different definitions： First, it is an extensive character concept. Character is all the visual symbols made to help people to recognize, record, communicate and manage things. Second, it is a universal concept. Character is a visual writing symbol which represents language. Third, it is a wide concept of Character. Character includes not only common character, but also the visual icons in written language. Fourth, it is a unilateral character concept, and character is just grapheme. Fifth, it is an extra--character concept. Character contains all the expressive ways of human cognitions, experiences and the objects of practice. And of these different concepts, each has its original background and fit situation, so we should make clear their definitions and use them correctly.