說文解字에 미수록된 秦簡文字 字形에 대한 考察 - 睡虎地秦簡을 중심으로

An Examination of the Forms of Qin Simplified Characters Not Included in Shuowen Jiezi

Temporal Limitations: The Qin simplified characters (秦簡文字) were used during the Qin dynasty, which is significantly earlier than the Han dynasty, during which “Shuowen Jiezi” was compiled. The characters from the Qin and Han periods underwent changes over time, which likely resulted in the Qin characters being excluded from “Shuowen Jiezi.” Evolution of Characters: During the Qin dynasty, characters like the Small Seal Script (小篆) were used, but by the Han dynasty, these had evolved into the more simplified and standardized Clerical Script (隸書). Xu Shen (許愼), the author of “Shuowen Jiezi,” based his work on the standard characters of the Han dynasty, leading to the omission of the specialized characters from the Qin period. Accessibility of Sources: When Xu Shen compiled “Shuowen Jiezi,” the documents from the Qin period might not have been sufficiently preserved or easily accessible. As a result, Xu Shen may not have had the opportunity to fully incorporate these earlier characters into his work. Political and Cultural Factors: The Qin dynasty's scripts and culture underwent significant changes during the Han dynasty, and various elements of the Qin period may have been disregarded. The Han dynasty emphasized its own cultural and linguistic standards, possibly leading to the exclusion of Qin characters from “Shuowen Jiezi.” Scholarly Development: The study of Qin simplified characters has progressed significantly in modern times, primarily through archaeological discoveries and research. These efforts are based on materials that were not available during Xu Shen's time. Modern scholars have been able to restore and study these characters, deepening our understanding of the Qin dynasty's script. In conclusion, the Qin simplified characters were not included in “Shuowen Jiezi” due to various factors such as temporal limitations, the evolution of scripts, accessibility of sources, and political and cultural influences. However, modern archaeological findings and research have greatly enhanced our understanding of these characters, contributing to a better comprehension of the history and culture of the Qin dynasty.