中国古文标点特征和创制机理:与欧洲标点传统对比

The characteristics and formulating principles of the punctuation system in ancient Chinese texts:In comparison with European traditions

通过整理中国古代标点符号,并对比欧洲标点传统,采用当代语言学视角,本文探索了汉语古籍中标点符号使用的本质特点及其创制思想。从历时和共时角度,发现中国自古就缺乏严格意义上标识小句和句子的两级标点系统,引入西式两级标点导致汉语产生过度语法信息,进而解释现代汉语中句号使用的不确定性和语法体系中"句子"的模糊性。本研究指出了现代汉语标点体系存在的问题及其根源,强调标点符号使用应与语言自身规律相匹配,为今后如何改进规范标点符号提供了参考。

Through an overview on punctuation marks in ancient Chinese scriptures and a comparison with European punctuation traditions,this paper explores the nature and formulating principles of punctuation marks in ancient Chinese texts from a contemporary linguistic viewpoint.It reveals that from ancient times the Chinese language has been lacking of a binary punctuation system to indicate two syntactic levels:clause and sentence.The fuzziness of juzi(句子,sentence) in contemporary Chinese grammar system can be explained with the excessive grammatical information after the binary punctuation system adapted from European punctuation is introduced.The paper argues that the problems in modem Chinese punctuation system stems from the mismatch between binary level punctuation and the actual state of the Chinese language.As a reference to the adjustment and regulation of Chinese punctuation system in future,it suggests that the use of punctuation marks should respect the language characteristics.