The Study On Paraphrasing Of The Inscriptions On Oracle Bones

Paraphrase is a universal linguistic phenomenon. The study of paraphrasing of ancient and modern Chinese focused both on synonyms and synonymous sentence patterns. The study on paraphrasing of Inscriptions on Oracle Bones includes two parts: vocabulary and syntax. The paraphrasing of vocabulary includes simplified expression (shortening, numeral-quantifier co-reference, umbrella name), paraphrasing of fixed phrases, alternative names. By studying paraphrasing of Inscriptions on Oracle Bone this paper explore the basis, causes and effects of paraphrasing.This paper consists of four parts. The introduction discusses the concept of paraphrasing and the form of paraphrasing, summarizes the former study of paraphrasing of ancient Chinese,modern Chinese and Inscriptions on Oracle Bone, and explain the aim, methods and related notes of this paper. The chapter one studies the paraphrasing of vocabulary, including shortening, numeral-quantifier co-reference, umbrella name, paraphrasing of fixed phrases and alternative names. It mainly discusses the original forms of the paraphrases. The chapter two studies the paraphrasing of syntax. It divides the paraphrasing of verb sentence patterns related to offer sacrifices to gods or ancestors into four patterns:shifting subject, shifting prepositional phrase, adding preposition and adding function words. Besides, subjects shifting in negative sentences, the paraphrasing of repeated-inscriptions and other forms also belong to the paraphrasing of syntax. Chapter three studies the basis, causes and effects of the paraphrasing. It mainly analysis the causes of the paraphrasing from the viewpoint of pragmatics. The causes include:the principle of economy and co-operative principle, to emphasize focus and meet the need of expression. What’s more, different period and augur will also affect the use of paraphrasing.