“一声之转”与同源词研究 : 汉语语音史观之二

Yishengzhizhuan(一声之转) and the study of Paronyms

Yisheng zhi zhuan (一声之转), mainly refer to thephenomenon of the etymological chains formed by some Chinese characters and words with same or similar initials. But nowadays this traditionalterm and its accompanying methodology are still in wide use and sometimes nearly without any limitations. This paper argues that indeed Yisheng zhi zhuan can’t help to clarify the etymon in the chain at all, so it is not scientific in modern view, which is its inherent deficiency. So modern linguists should avoid using the term, andmanage to construct a new paradigm under which to make the study of the Paronyms.

“一声之转”主要是指声母相同相近情况下的字词的孳乳、分化现象,后代学者在同源词研究中有滥用“一声之转”的弊病。“一声之转”的最大缺陷是缺乏科学性,不能说清楚同源词的本原,当代中国语言学应该慎用“一声之转”,而努力追求新的科学研究范式。