西夏语言研究简论

Brief Introduction to Xi Xia Language Research

自明代中叶以后,西夏文字几乎无人使用,世人极少知道历史上曾有过这种特殊的文字。19世纪初,清代学者张澍首次揭示了西夏文字在历史上的存在。其后,对西夏文字解读至为重要的文献《番汉合时掌中珠》的出世,使西夏语言文字研究方面的成绩颇为显著。20世纪80年代进入西夏语言文字研究的黄金时代,这一时期成果颇丰,著作递增,水平超前。本文综合学界研究成果,拟就西夏语言文字结构、语法特点及其史料价值等作出简要评述,以飨读者。

After middle-Ming dynasty, few people used Xi Xia script and few of them knew the language. In the 19th century, scholar Zhang Shu first revealed the existence ofXi Xia script. Then A Pamphlet of the Foreign Land and Han Nationalities was completed, which has been an important document in researching Xi Xia language. During 1980s, the research in this field ushered its golden age. On the basis of other people＇s research, the essay gives a brief comment on the structures, grammar and historical value ofXi Xia language.