A Study On Language View In Shen Kuo’s Mengxi Bitan

Chen Yinque argues,the establishment of Song studies marked the academic revival of Song Dynasty.With the evolution and progress in thousands of years,the apex of the Chinese national culture was achieved in Song Dynasty.As far as the degree of ideological and cultural activity is concerned,the Song Dynasty can be described as a flourishing age,and the Mengxi Bitan is one of the achievements of this flourishing age.Mengxi Bitan is the result of Shen Kuo’s lifelong learning.The ancient wisdom and his rational understanding of scientific phenomena preserved in the book are the key points of the note,but the language view contained is also worth thinking about.There are many items directly or indirectly related to linguistics,which reflects Shen Kuo’s attention and thinking on language issues.In general,Shen Kuo’s view of language can be examined from the macro and micro levels.From a macro point of view,Shen Kuo thought philosophically about the essence of language.By analyzing the relationship between language and the world,language and being,language and thought,he explored the nature of language and its form of existence.On the micro level,Shen Kuo’s insights on phonetics,grammar,vocabulary and other specific language problems can be seen in Mengxi Bitan.First of all,Shen Kuo expressed his views on the relationship between language,world and human with the concept of Yu.Distinct language brings a clear world,and language builds the world as people see it.Shen Kuo’s rich practical experience made him realize that all words are implied.Nature and its laws are difficult to grasp,just like the ungraduated celestial body.How can people understand them?People use language as a medium to explore the world and record their knowledge.It can be said that language is the world for people,just as Martin Heidegger put forward that language is the home of existence.Since language is so intertwined with the world and people,it is also possible to understand people through language.Music and voice have feelings and thoughts.Shen Kuo often comments on a person based on language.Language is as different as face.Traditional Chinese philosophy holds that man and nature are one.The world is a chaotic unity,language makes it organized.After studying the contents of the ancient Chinese characters in Mengxi Bitan,we can find that Shen Kuo pays much attention to the ancient Chinese characters and explores the truth through the characters.This is not only the practice of obtaining knowledge by investigation of things,but also the embodiment of his exploration of meaning through words.After analyzing his explanation of the concepts of Dao and Li,we can find that Shen Kuo believes that all the chapters and sentences are based on meaning and reason.This principle is not only the theory of literature,not only the article and language,but also heavenly principles,the nature of the universe.Since language is so important,Shen Kuo proposed that language should be simple and reasonable,but also have proof.So that words won’t overshadow the truth.This is also the language characteristics of Mengxi Bitan.Secondly,Shen Kuo analyzed the social nature of language from both political and ethical aspects.On the one hand,Shen Kuo proposed that politics can be understood through language and sound.Language is a feedback of the political situation.Language is also an effective political means,reasonable use can give full play to its political efficacy,otherwise it will have a negative impact.Therefore,Shen Kuo paid attention to the clarification of political words and the standardization of language use.On the other hand,language has the distinction of superiority and inferiority,and ethics and morality depend on language.Shen Kuo put forward the corresponding norms for the transgression of etiquette and the usurpation of language in society.Generally speaking,there are two aspects:one is to speak well,which is in line with the social ethical hierarchy;The second is to speak in courtesy,that is,to observe the basic etiquette.Driven by the understanding of the social nature of language and the consciousness of language norms,Shen Kuo examined and distinguished the incompatibility of nominatum and reality.Although he did not explicitly propose the designation and meaning theory,through Shen Kuo’s discrimination of name and reality,as well as the argumentation method of extensive citing and eyewitness demonstration,we can know that Shen Kuo insisted on taking reality to name,so as to make the name and reality match.While this kind of name rectification thought is consistent with Shen Kuo’s view that language is all based on meaning.It can be seen that when Shen Kuo discussed language problems,he linked them with social practice,reflecting the characteristics of practical theory.In addition,combing the Mengxi Bitan,in the analysis of language,Shen Kuo involved three aspects:phonology,grammar and vocabulary.It can be said that Shen Kuo had a preliminary concept of language system,but did not rise to the theoretical level.Finally,Shen Kuo’s view of language is contributed by a variety of factors.Externally,the political environment of literati governance and the increasingly exposed social problems provided space and stimulation for the formation of Shen Kuo’s thought.And the academic development of metallography and phonology,as well as the exchange of Buddhist culture,provided a great boost to the formation of his view of language.From the perspective of internal factors,the spirit of simple materialism,the attitude of innovative practice and the ideological theory and research methods of Neo-Confucianism are all important supports for the formation of the view of language.