方言学的内向研究和外向研究

Internally-oriented and Externally-oriented Dialectological Studies

本文从科学作为一种立体网络系统的定性出发,指出方言学研究可以分为内向研究和外向研究两大类型。内向研究是方言学作为语言学内一门学科自身的本体研究或主体研究,以研究区别于共同语的复数意义上的语言地域变体为主要任务,包括方言学的界定和研究方法、各方言的特点、方言的分区、方言的历史来源这些核心领域。外向研究是那些以方言语料为材料和考察对象、以狭义方言学之外的其他学科的学术需求和目标为指归的方言研究。方言学的外向研究既要采用内向研究的成果,也作为方言学与其他学科的连线对内向研究产生反哺作用。外向的研究范围极广,本文重点提及了面向普通语言学本体的方言研究,基于历史、地理、类型等跨语言视角的方言研究,面向人文社会学科的方言研究和面向应用的方言学科四个方面。本文强调方言学的内向研究和外向研究应当加强相互了解,避免以自身的学术目标来要求对方,让内向研究和外向研究互相尊重,相互受益。

Starting with the understanding of science as a stereoscopic network,this paper classifies dialectological studies into two categories, i. e. those internally-oriented( IODS)and externally-oriented( EODS). The IODSs are essential research of dialectology proper as a branch of linguistics, with its main concerns being various regional varieties of a language as different from its standard form. It includes the core fields such as the definition and methodology of dialectology, dialectal features,regional division and history of dialects. EODSs on the other hand,are those that take dialectological facts as research data and objectives to meet needs of other research fields. EODSs not only make use of dialectological findings,but also serve as a link between dialectology and other research fields and provide dialectology with feedback from other fields. The range of EODSs of dialects is thus remarkably wide. The paper singles out a number of main fields for the present discussion,including dialectal studies for general linguistics,cross-linguistic studies of dialects in the geographic,historical or typological perspectives,studies of dialects in connection with humanities and social sciences, and dialectal studies for applied fields such as dialect teaching. Finally, it emphasizes that internally-oriented and externallyoriented studies of dialects ought to understand each other better and avoid using one paradigm to judge the other field. The two sides should receive the mutual respect and then obtain benefits from one another.