An Analysis of Duan Yucai’s Theory of Shengyi tongyuan in his Annotations to the Shuowen jiezi

My dissertation studies the work of an eminent Qing dynasty (1644–1912) philologist Duan Yucai 段玉裁 (1735–1815). Duan is renowned for his annotations to the Shuowen jiezi 說文解字 (Explaining Simple Graphs and Analysing Compound Characters), titled the Shuowen jiezi zhu 說文解字注 (Annotations to the Explaining Simple Graphs and Analysing Compound Characters) or the Duanzhu 段注 (Duan’s Annotations). The Shuowen is the earliest systematic Chinese character dictionary from the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220), compiled around 100 CE by Xu Shen 許慎 (58–147). In his annotations to the Shuowen, Duan demonstrated insights into the relationship between the sound and meaning of Chinese characters. He proposed that sound and meaning spring from the same source (shengyi tongyuan 聲義同源 ) and explored the significant implications of this finding. This dissertation aims to explore how Duan engaged with the Shuowen, and how he proposed and applied his principles in solving exegetical problems. Firstly, this dissertation provides an overview of related scholarship, especially focusing on the relationship between sound and meaning in Western and Chinese philology. Secondly, it contextualises Duan and his work, the Duanzhu, against the background of 18th -Century scholarship to evaluate Duan’s significance in the intellectual developments of Qing China. Thirdly, it focuses on Duan’s approach to the Shuowen, providing a comprehensive analysis and relevant examples of Duan’s principles regarding the relationship between sound and meaning. Fourthly, it offers an application of Duan’s principles in word glosses and solving exegetical problems, primarily presented in his annotations to the Shuowen. Lastly, it evaluates Duan’s accomplishments and limitations within the context of a historical perspective and modern scholarship, delineating the disparity between Duan’s work and contemporary scholarship.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Xu, Shushi

• P Ieitheg. Ieithyddiaeth
• PL Ieithoedd a llenyddiaethau Dwyrain Asia, Affrica, Ynysoedd y De

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:3155