波利瓦诺夫语言演变思想及其当代意义

Polivanov's theory of language evolution and its contemporary significance

语言演变理论是波利瓦诺夫社会语言学思想的核心内容,贯穿于他学术活动的始终,反映了他的语言观和方法论。本文从语言演变特点和影响因素两个维度出发,对波利瓦诺夫有关语言演变问题的核心思想进行论述。按波利瓦诺夫的理论,语言演进主要呈现出渐变性与突变性、相对稳定性与绝对变化性、不平衡性、无意识性与有意识性;语言的发展变化是语言系统以及集体心理、社会经济等内外部因素共同作用的结果。波利瓦诺夫语言演变思想具有重要的现实意义,不仅可以为当代语言学指出新的研究方向,而且可以提供理论支撑和方法指导。

Polivanov's theory of language evolution is at the core of his sociolinguistic thoughts. It runs through his academic career and reflects his views on language and methodology. The present study aims to discuss Polivanov's core ideas on the issue of language evolution from two dimensions, namely the characteristics of language evolution and the factors influencing them. Within Polivanov's theoretical framework, language evolution shows features of gradualness and suddenness, relative stability and absolute variability, imbalance, as well as unawareness and awareness. Furthermore, the development and changes in language are the results of the combined effects of internal and external factors, such as the language system itself, collective psychology, and socioeconomic conditions. His thoughts are of great practical significance, as they not only point out new research directions for contemporary linguistics, but also offer theoretical and methodological guidance.