汉字--从甲骨文到计算机(2)

Associative Compounds

An associative compound is the composition of two or more symbols or script into a new character.

“信”(trust) is composed of ―イ‖ (human) and“言”(word), meaning ―man must be true to his words‖.

This is“休”(rest), a human figure (イ) resting against a tree (木).

Seal character for ―compare‖ (比). Two persons standing side by side, as if comparing their height.

This is the inscribed character for ―look‖ (见), stressed by the extraordinarily wide eye.

A ―small‖ (小) above and a ―big‖ (大) below make a ―sharp‖ (尖) contrast.

What will happen when the ―Sun‖ (日)and the ―Moon‖ (月) meet? The sky will be extremely ―bright‖ (明) .

Phonetic Compounds

A phonetic compound is character made of both phonetic and ideographic side radicals. Most Chinese characters are formed this way because it meets the general need for word creation.

In the oracle bone script, the character ―chicken‖ was a pictograph. Later, a phonetic side radical was added to signify the pronunciation.

The proportion of phonetic compounds to all Chinese characters had risen from 20 percent at the time of oracle bones to 90 percent, as included in the Kangxi Dictionary published in the Qing Dynasty. This is a picture of the famous Kangxi Dictionary.

The above table shows the relation between ideographic side radicals (wood, water, metal) and the meaning of the characters.

―Life in the Chinese Primitive Society‖, a picture composed of ―side radicals‖ of Chinese

characters.

In Chinese dictionaries, characters are indexed according to their ideographic elements. These elements are called side radicals. Most side radicals are actually the first characters to be created. This picture explains how our primitive ancestors lived together with their basic creations.

Unit 3. Evolution of Chinese Characters

Appearance of Early Chinese Characters

The oldest known Chinese characters were found on this 3,000-year-old oracle bone inscription. The strokes are generally thin, like children’s sketches, and the size varies.

Oracle bone inscription in the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century -771 B.C). The letters are so small that they can be read only under a magnifying glass.

Another primitive Chinese script contemporary with the oracle bones was Jinwen (inscribed script). These characters were generally inscribed on bronze ware, with thicker strokes and more regular sizes. This is a rubbing of the Inscription on Dayu Ding (tripod).

Oracle bone script of the Shang Dynasty (replica)

Oracle bone script of the Western Zhou Dynasty (replica)

Western Zhou oracle bone script (11th century -- 771 B.C.), readable only through a magnifying glass.

Shiqiang Plate, a bronze ware of the Western Zhou Dynasty (replica)

Archaic Codes: Script of the Warring States Period.

During the Warring States Period (475—221 B.C.), China was divided into seven fiefdoms. They differed from each other in all aspects, from politics to language. The Warring States script is very difficult to decipher.

Bamboo-shaped brass pass, owned by E’junqi of the Chu State.

Brass wine vessel inlaid with gold, from the Jin State.

Currency with Zhao characters.

Currency with Wei characters.

Currency with Han characters.

Stone drum inscribed with Dazhuan (big seal) letters from the Qin State.

Warring States currencies inscribed with various scripts.

Towards One Chinese Characters

After unifying China in 221 B.C., Emperor Qin ushered in many reforms, including the standardization of language. A uniform Chinese language facilitated the integration of Chinese cultures, catalyzed China’s economic and cultural exchanges, and enhanced social productivity. (Portrait of Emperor Qin.)

Qin’s Prime Minister Li Si simplified the original Dazhuan (big seal) script of Qin and invented a standard system of writing for the whole China -- Xiaozhuan (small seal). With standardized shape, strokes and structure, this script established the basic formation for all Chinese characters created since. Li Si’s Stone Inscription on the Yi Mountain.

LI Si’s Stone Inscription on the Tai Mountain. (rubbings)

A decree to standardize measures, written in small seal script, Qin Dynasty.

Bronze scale inscribed with small seal script, Qin Dynasty

Tiger-shaped tally inscribed with small seal script, Qin Dynasty

Brick with 12 small seal letters, Qin Dynasty (replica)

Lishu (Clerical Script): Revolution of Convenience

Clerical script, a kind of handwriting much faster and easier than the small seal, was first used among the common people, and later seen in official documents. After being standardized by Cheng Miao and other officials, it was decreed by Emperor Qin to be the vernacular written characters of the nation. This is a set of bamboo slips written in Qin clerical script, from Yunmeng, Hubei.

In the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.), clerical script developed greatly. Simpler and more regular in shape, it established the basic structure of most Chinese characters. Clerical script stands as the dividing point between archaic and modern Chinese script. Bamboo slips written in Qin clerical script, from Yunmeng, Hubei. (replica)

Kaishu (Standard Script): Model Writings

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-200), a new form of handwriting, standard script, came into being. The initiator of standard characters was Zhong Yao.

…… 此处隐藏：5463字，全部文档内容请下载后查看。喜欢就下载吧 ……