Research On Manchu Synonyms

The research of Manchu synonyms is a key component in semantic research of Manchu lexicon.It has significant theoretical research value and practical application value to Manchu lexicology.Since the research for this area is very complicated and difficult,and referential findings were few,further specialized and systematic discussion and research has yet to be developed.Manchu synonyms has a relatively large quantity,with a wide distribution,complicated sources and many diachronic changes.Based on the existing findings,using lexicology,cultural semantics and some other theoretical methods,this paper systematically analyze and discuss the subtle distinctions between Manchu synonyms,and the relationships between synonymy and other semantic forms from both synchronic and diachronic points of view.In synchronic study,first,this paper thoroughly analyse the subtle distinctions between different Manchu synonyms by using a great amount of illustrative words and sentences.Second,phonetic and grammatical features of Manchu synonyms have been summed up,which are similar sounds similar meanings and harmonious variable in sound,and same root similar meanings and different roots similar forms in grammar.Third,on the basis of analysis of semantic relationships in Manchu synonymy,the close relationships between synonyms and polysemes have been further discussed,and the complicated semantic relationships in synonymy and polysemy relation have been demonstrated.In diachronic study,first,longitudinal analysis of Manchu synonymys evolution is used to elucidate its diversity and complexity.Second,in mid-times of Qianlong,Manchu lexicon had been greatly changed(mainly on mandarin loanwords and polysemes).A lot of synonyms were formed in this period because new words and oldwords were coexisting.The changes of these synonyms had regular patterns,and therefore the succession in loanwords accumulation,diversity in old words to new words evolution,and progression in root words derivative process are respectively used to discuss the features of the changes.Third,through the study of diachronic changes on polysemes,and the exploration of changes on their relative synonyms,it shows that the development and changes of a polyseme can cause a chain reaction to its relative synonym.Forth,in Manchu,between loanwords and con-natural words,and between different loanwords,there are many homophonic phenomena.Some of these words had been transformed,and some had been replaced by other new words or old words.This created some synonyms during the period of new words and old words coexistence.By using many concrete examples in this paper,the profound impacts on the evolution of synonyms caused by the diachronic changes of homophones have been demonstrated.This paper not only broadens the perspective of Manchu synonyms research by combining synchronic study and diachronic study,but also extends the range of it by developing the single synonymy research to a correlation study of synonymy,polysemy and homophony.This extension research for Manchu synonyms in depth and breadth provides empirical evidence for Manchu lexicology studies,and has certain practical value for the research of applied Manchu.