Research About Cognate Words Of Shi Da

The research of cognate words in Shi Da belongs to the etymon field. In Shi Da, Wang Niansun linked many cognate words by his understanding of"sound and meaning integrating together". In this article, the rules of sounds and significations of cognate words are discussed while Wang Niansun's achievement and insufficiency are elucidated.In 1st chapter, the property and judging criterion of the cognate words are considered, Wang Niansun and his Shi Da are introduced briefly.The 2nd chapter sorts out the main words in Shi Da, recommends several types of cognate words, meanwhile studies the sounds and significations of the cognate words.The 3rd chapter mainly introduces the theory and methods which used in Shi Da. The methods of Shi Da's collection can be summed up in three points: firstly, collecting cognate words through sound and meaning with the help of many kinds of documentary materials and methods; secondly, looking into the semantic relationships of the cognate words; lastly, analogizing and comparison.The 4th chapter mentions Shi Da's achievements and insufficiency. Although Shi Da had achieved a great deal in collecting cognate words, there are many defects and even errors in this book such as misunderstanding of some sound change words, incorrect explanation of some words'meaning.In a word, it is valuable for us to clear up the cognate words in Shi Da, to learn its methods, to try our best to make them perfect and to look out not to make the same mistakes as Wang Niansun's.