评《说文段注》的“辨通别”

On "Distinguishing the Sameness and the Difference" Embodiedin Shuo Wen Duan Zhu

The book, Shuo Wen Jie Zhi Zhu written by Duan Yucai distinguishes synonyms by means of "distinguishing the sameness and the difference". It represents the highest achievement distinguishing ancient Chinese synonyms in the traditional linguistic field. However, up to now, researchers have admired it too much to see its real virtues and defects. It has exerted a bad effect on our studies of the synonyms in the ancient Chinese. As a matter of fact, the success of Duan Yucai’s "distinguishing the sameness and the difference" reflects itself with three striking points. First, it inherits the tradition embodied in Er Ya concerned greatly with cultural words. Secondly, it focuses on the comparison of the difference from one similar meaning and aims to create semantic richness through contrast. Thirdly, it sets up the first example of synonym study by using the conception of "generality to explain" and "to explain in details" to distinguish synonyms. This method shows more concern for the difference while studying the sameness. However, there are also three defects. First, with two words forming a group of synonyms, it cannot create a whole system. Secondly, depending too much on the previous explanation, it cannot be more objective. Thirdly, with the words obscure in time, the author cannot tell the real difference of synonyms.