| Discourse Linguistics,also known as Text linguistics,is a branch of linguistics specialized in the study of coherent discourse beyond a single sentence,focusing on the relationship between sentences,means of connection and the semantic center of a coherent discourse.The Laozi is a short classic,which is usually divided into different chapters.Because almost each chapter has a definite theme,the text is very suitable for analysis by using discourse linguistics.This paper mainly studies seven chapters of the Silk Manuscript Laozi:Chapter39,Chapter63,Chapter64,Chapter65,Chapter71(equivalent to Chapter 69 of the current version),Chapter77(equivalent to Chapter 75 of the current version)and Chapter78(equivalent to Chapter 76 of the current version).From the perspective of discourse linguistics,this paper thoroughly discusses the controversial issues in ancient and modern commentaries,so as to expound in more detail the views expressed by previous commentators.In addition,inspired by discourse linguistics,this paper advances some new viewpoints.For example,in chapter 39,the word“zheng正”in the sentence“Hou wang de yi er yi wei tian xia zheng侯王得一而以为天下正”(Lords and princes in virtue of the One become leaders in the empire.-translated by D.C.Lau)should be read as“zheng政”,and the sentence means“When Lords and princes possessed the One,they could use it to govern.”In chapter 63,the sentence“Da xiao,duo shao,bao yuan yi de大小,多少,抱怨以德”(Make the small big and the few many;do good to him who has done you an injury.-translated by D.C.Lau)should be understood as“No matter how much resentment the saints experienced,they retain their nature and respond by non-action.”In chapter 65,the word“yu与”in the sentence“Xuan de shen yi,yuan yi,yu wu fan yi,nai zhi da shun玄德深矣,远矣,与物反矣,乃至大顺”(Mysterious virtue is profound and far-reaching,But when things turn back it turns back with them.Only then is complete conformity realized.-translated by D.C.Lau)is a verb,so the sentence means“The mysterious power,as the nature,seems deep and unfathomable,far and unreachable.However it can help all things return to the original Way,and then achieve a perfect society that is obedient to the Way of heaven.”In chapter 78,the word“heng恒”in the sentence“Bing qiang ze bu sheng mu qiang ze heng兵强则不胜,木强则恒”(Therefore a weapon that is strong will not vanquish;A tree that is strong will suffer the axe.-ranslated by D.C.Lau)should be read as“gong共”on the authority of the current version.As“gong共”and“gong攻”(cut down)are often interchangeable,the sentence means“Excessive arrogance and brutality in the use of weapons often result in failure to win because of contempt of the enemy.Trees that are too strong and luxuriant are often cut down because they have many uses.”My study shows that discourse linguistics can advance both the collation and annotation of the Laozi.By clarifying the relationship between sentences,discourse linguistics can help to collate textual errors,and then advance the method of collating by virtue of internal evidence.From the perspective of semantic coherence,we can analyze the annotations of the Laozi of different periods,and then choose or propose an understanding that is more consistent with the semantic context.Compared with other approaches,the novelty of discourse linguistics is to examine whether certain words are appropriate within a certain context from the perspective of coherence and the whole text.Therefore,discourse linguistics can be used to study not only the Laozi,but also other ancient texts. |
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