论“方言”概念在近代中国之演变

On the Evolution of the Concept of“Dialect”in Modern China

中国古今之“方言”概念并非简单的语义递承。结合词汇史与概念史的研究方法考察方言概念在近代中国的确立过程发现,直至切音字运动期间,在关于统一国语的讨论中,方言才逐渐具备现代含义,表示民族国家的语言之地方变体。不过,由于清末“国语统一”要求迫切,“言文一致”问题居于次位,方言的多样性没有得到足够的重视。五四新文化运动时期,方言的价值被重新评估,方言成为新文化建设的重要资源;中国现代方言学诞生,方言概念也随之定型。方言概念在中国近代的演变,既反映了中外文化的交流与互动,又体现了中国文化的裂变与传承。

The“dialect”concept in ancient and modern China,is not a simple inheriting of meaning.Combining with the research method of lexicology history and concept history to investigate the establishment process of dialect concept in modern China,it is observed that,until the period of Qieyinzi Campaign,in the discussion concerning unifying national language,dialect then has gradually owned modern connotation,representing local allophone of ethical and national language.However,due to urgent requirements of“national language unification”in late Qing,the problem of“unity between language and speaking”ranked second,and the varieties of dialect had not been paid enough attention to.During the period of May 4th new culture movement,the value of dialect had been reevaluated,and became important resources for construction of new culture;Chinese modern dialectology was born,and the concept of dialect was confirmed accordingly.The evolution of dialect concept in modern China,not only reflects the communication and interaction of culture at home and abroad,but also shows the fission and inheritance of Chinese culture.