Researches On Paronyms In Shoupi Erya Yishu (手批尔雅义疏) Of Huang Kan (黄侃)

By using the theory and method of modern etymology,this paper does textual research on paronyms in the book of Shoupi erya yishu(手批尔雅义疏)(based on the copy of Pan Chong-gui published by Shimen Books Company in Taibei)by Huang Kan.The paper consists of seven chapters.The first chapter states historical and present researching situation on etymology and Huang Kan.The second chapter introduces the main content and value of Shoupi erys rishu(手批尔雅义疏),and states the situation that researchers sort it out and study it.Specially, It points out the error of erya yinxun(尔雅音训).The next two chapters(chapter 3 and chapter 4)analyze the theory and method of studying paronyms by Shoupi erya yishu(手批尔雅义疏). Moreover,the paper concludes its achievement and contribution from three levels(theory,method and practice),and criticizes its limitation and faults.Huang Kan devotes his thoughts to us mainly on four aspects:Firstly,he develops the old theory of Accepted though common practice which explains the reason for named things,and puts forward etymology thought of being reason for all named things.He stresses that the origin of a word is existed naturally,in other words,that there must be reason for all named things.Secondly,he produces etymological thought of Multiplication and Variation,Division and Transformation.And he reveals the important way of forming paronym from dynamic aspect,synchronic and diachronic level. Thirdly,he criticized traditional Youwen thought(右文说)and bring out that many phonetic characters imply meanings.Then he illustrates some circumstances of the theory of that phonetic characters imply meanings,and understands the types of original meaning.The forth,he produces thoughts that opposite words can be explain each other,and opposite meaning words have the same pronunciation.These theories can be consulted by scholars who try to research the phenomenon of that both opposite meaning come from the same etymology.As methodology,the book's author uses the method,which combining the character,pronunciation and meaning of words can understand each other,to study paronyms.And its researching methods are various.The methods of linking paronyms are mainly as follows:A)joining pronunciation and meaning of words;B) the Youwen thought(右文说);C)the theory of Shengxun(声训). D)the etymology method of yinzhuan(音转);E)the method of analogy;and so on.The methods of etymological investment are mainly as follows:A)the clues to the pronunciation and meaning of words;B)the clues to phonetic character of words;C)the characteristics of things(including colours,shapes,raw materials,positions,functions,quantities);as so on.These methods themselves become to a research system,and help to lay a good foundation for the method system to research the modern etymology.As practice effectiveness,Shoupi erya yishu(手批尔雅义疏)links a group of words in the same family which ties of blood.It would be an important paronyms dictionary,if Mr. Huang should lived for a few years longer,and sorted them out, and done textual research of them.Shoupi erya yishu(手批尔雅义疏)attaches importance to seek the origin for the names of things in researching paronyms.It is excellent that it seek the origin of the names of birds,beasts,grasses,and trees, by method of Shengxun(声训).The flaws for researching paronyms in Shoupi erya yishu(手批尔雅义疏)are mainly as follows:A) theoretical faults;B)limiting Yugen(语根)thought;C)no testing and verifying work for diachronic work and synchronic work;D)confusion and being indistinct for using terms;E)some Shengxun(声训)or etymological investment are not correct.In the last three chapters(from chapter 5 to chapter 7),the author dredges those paronyms in Shoupi erya yishu(手批尔雅义疏),and verifies them.294 groups of paronyms are sorted out, which now have been affirmed or recognized by scholars.There are 175 groups among them,which are connected to the region of the name of things in nature,including 84 groups in the seven chapters(from Shicao to Shichu).94 groups of paronyms are verified by the author,and there are 84 groups among them, which are connected to the region of the name of things in nature, concluding 69 groups in the seven chapters(from Shicao to Shichu).The author points out that some words——which are 7 groups in the seven chapters(from Shicao to Shichu)——do not come from the same etymology,which are interlinked in pronunciation and meaning,and linked by Mr.Huang.The total of the two——paronyms affirmed or recognized by modern scholars and by the author himself——is 388,and 259 groups among them,which are connected to the region of the name of things in nature,accounting for 66.8%,including 155 groups in the seven chapters(from Shicao to Shichu),accounting for 59.8%.The result has proved the favorable comments on the achievements of Shoupi erya yishu(手批尔雅义疏)in the aspect of the region of the name of things in nature.84 groups which are among 94 groups account for 89.4%.The result shows that Mr.Huang is excellent.