A Study On Toponym Words Which Means Water In Chu(楚) Territory

The thesis try to demonstrate Bu(步),Bu(埠), Pu(浦),Yuan(渊),Tan(潭),Pi(陂),Meng(梦),Lou(溇),Yuan(垸) are words which has water meanings used astoponyms in Chu(楚)territory. Ancient scholar have said that Tan(潭),Pi(陂),Meng(梦),Lou(溇) are the language of Chu(楚). Previous scholar proved thatBu(步), Pu(浦) are the language of Chu(楚). The author combine the modern dialectsmaterials with the synchronic and diachronic materials to prove that Pu(浦), Yuan(渊),Yuan(垸) are the language of Chu(楚) according to historical comparison method.It isnecessary to sort out the relationship between the form, the pronunciation and themeaning when investigating the word itself to make sure that the word has water relatedmeanings as toponyms. Searching toponyms database for related toponyms and makesure whether those toponyms means water. Categorizing those toponym data accordingto the geographical location and sort out the characteristics of its geographicaldistribution. Search related toponyms in those literature documents to generalize itsgeographic distribution. Integrate all aspects mentioned above may prove that these ninewords are toponym words in Chu(楚)territory when they represent the meaning ofwater.The thesis mainly utilizing the method of synchronic to reveal the systemic patternof words which has water meanings used as toponyms in Chu(楚)territory. On theother side,with diachronic research method to figure out its inheritance anddevelopment in the evolution, and understand its diachronic evolution pattern ofdevelopment.The thesis is divided into8main chapters, and the main content is as following:The introduction part includes a roundup of researches already done in this field, aswell as some of the theoretical basis needed in the demonstration afterwards, such as theexplainations and connotations on Chu(楚) nation, the language of Chu(楚),Chu(楚)territory and concepts about cognate words.The first chapter, Bu(步), Pu(浦), Bu(埠). Sort out the relationship between theform, the pronunciation and the meaning of these three words to prove they areparonym. Searching toponyms database for both synchronic materials and diachronic.Integrate three aspects mentioned above would reach the conlusion that Bu(步),Pu(浦), Bu(埠) are toponyms when they represent the meaning of water, and on thisfoundation the toponyms they constitute are within the scope of Chu(楚)territory.The second chapter, Yuan(渊), Tan(潭). Sort out the relationship between the form,the pronunciation and the meaning of this two words to prove they are paronym.Searching toponyms database for both synchronic materials and diachronic. Integratethree aspects mentioned above would reach the conlusion that Yuan(渊), Tan(潭) aretoponyms when they represent the meaning of water, and on this foundation the toponyms they constitute are within the scope of Chu(楚)territory.The third chapter, Pi(陂). Sort out the relationship between the form, thepronunciation and the meaning of this multi-tone multi-meaning word. Searchingtoponyms database for both synchronic materials and diachronic. Integrate threeaspects mentioned above would reach the conlusion that Pi(陂) means dams or otherrelated water meanings are toponyms in Chu(楚)territory.The fourth chapter, Meng(梦). Ancient scholar have said thatMeng(梦) is thelanguage of Chu(楚). Searching toponyms database for both synchronic materials anddiachronic.Proved that Meng(梦) means water are toponyms in Chu(楚)territory.The fifth chapter, Lou(溇). Materials help to reach the conlusion that Lou(溇)means canals or other related water meanings are toponyms in Chu(楚)territory.The sixth chapter, Yuan(垸). Sort out the relationship between the form, thepronunciation and the meaning of this word. Searching toponyms database for bothsynchronic materials and diachronic. Integrate three aspects mentioned above wouldreach the conlusion that Yuan(垸) means dams or other related water meanings aretoponyms in Chu(楚)territory.Finally comes the conclusion of this thesis: Bu(步),Bu(埠),Pu(浦),Yuan(渊),Tan(潭), Pi(陂),Meng(梦),Lou(溇),Yuan(垸) are toponym wordswhich has water meanings in Chu(楚)territory.