论声训的性质

On the Characteristics of "Sheng Xun

“声训”相对于“形训”和“义训”而言。其主要原理是“声义同源”。它是中国古代训诂家对汉语声义同源规律的一种素朴的、直接的体认和解释。并非一切以音同、音近之字相释的训诂形式都是“声训”。因为取音同、音近之字相释只是“声训”的外在形式，而非“声训”的全部内容，更不是“声训”的本质属性。“声训”的性质、旨趣是以音同、音近之字来揭示语词在其命名之初的“所以然之意”，即命名立意之义。这一点，才是“声训”与“形训”、“义训”之不同的重要标准。

Compared with 'Xing Xun' and 'Yi Xun', the main similaries of 'Sheng Xun' with these two is that it has the same root of pronunciation and meaning. Not all 'Xun Gu' forms which are explained by words of similar meaning or pronunciation are 'Sheng Xun', because this is only the surface forms of words, not the whole content. The essential difference between 'Sheng Xun' and 'Xing Xun' is that 'Sheng Xun', by using same or similar words, explores the abstract meanings of words when they were first coined.