The Eye of East Asia: Several Ways of Examining the History of Chinese Phonology
Li Wuwei1, Li Xun2
1.Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China 2.Chinese International Education College, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
Abstract:How to change the way of examining the history of Chinese phonology from the single perspective of East Asian countries to the way of examining from the holistic perspective of East Asia? It is worth noting to examine from radiation and other ways. Radiation refers to the observation angles of the spread and radiations of the Chinese phonology classics to neighboring countries in the process of studying the history of Chinese phonology in East Asia, which constitutes an important way to examine the compilation and writing of Chinese phonology classics in neighboring countries with Chinese phonology classics at the center. Choi Se Zin’s Interpretation of Four Tones (1517) in North Korea is related to the influence of rhyme books such as Hongwu Zhengyun in China. “New domain” means to find another way. Fumio’s Polishing Rhyme Mirror regards the one-dimensional plane pattern of Rhyme Mirror as a two-dimensional pattern of diachronic and synchronic combinations, that is, the overlapping pattern of synchronic Chinese characters phonology and the dynamic evolution pattern of diachronic Chinese characters phonology. The “hufa” theory of Zhi Tu and Heng Tu, which are attached to Vocabulary, was introduced as a breakthrough point of theoretical construction. If it is applied to the history of Chinese phonology in East Asia, a new way should be found. It also needs to cover the “cross-border” and compatible perspective. This kind of compatibility is examined with the mentality of openness, equality and an attitude of “all rivers running into the sea”. Toraseki Ishiren’s Jufen Yunlue (1303) is a rhyme book that should be examined from the perspective of compatibility. There are three scales to study the evolution of the history of Chinese phonology in East Asia: macro history, that is, the study of Chinese phonology in East Asia. What we should pay attention to is how Chinese phonology transits from nothing to something, and how it solidifies and evolves, and then becomes today’s form. Taking the discovery and research of East Asian Chinese phonology history documents as a macro-examination framework, a sub-project system of discovery and research of East Asian Chinese phonology history documents in East Asian countries is established. Looking at Chinese history, this paper explores how East Asian Chinese phonology has changed its development with the change of the century, which is influenced by vertical or horizontal transmissions and contacts. Variation is the focus of attention, for example, in the history of Japanese Chinese phonology. Micro-history, that is, to directly study the discovered documents or individual forms of Chinese phonology in East Asia, to see the whole leopard from the individual spot, and to convey the spirit with one eye. For example, the history of Rhyme Mirror, or circulation, refers to the Chinese phonological literature or academic theory, point of view, which goes round and round in East Asia. In this circulation process, scholars from all over the world will constantly deepen their understanding of the research object, forming an “upward spiral” situation. Lu Fayan’s Qieyun in the Sui Dynasty was introduced to the neighboring countries with an important influence on their phonological researches. Studying it again today will enrich the connotation of Chinese research on Qieyun. To promote the relational study of Chinese phonology history among East Asian countries with integrity should not be limited to the proposed methods of examination. More innovative theories and methods of studying Chinese phonology history are expected to come out.
李无未, 李逊. 东亚之眼:汉语音韵学史几种审视方式[J]. 浙江大学学报(人文社会科学版), 2023, 53(8): 124-138.
Li Wuwei, Li Xun. The Eye of East Asia: Several Ways of Examining the History of Chinese Phonology. JOURNAL OF ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY, 2023, 53(8): 124-138.