《尔雅》的编纂旨趣、分类思想与训释逻辑

《尔雅》是我国第一部按义类编排的综合性辞书。其中,至少蕴藏着三个较为明显的编纂思想,一是齐一殊言,归于统绪的编纂宗旨,二是类聚群分,比物连类的分类思想,三是由此及彼,递相引申的训释逻辑。齐一殊言,归于统绪是《尔雅》编纂思想的核心,类聚群分,比物连类是在此基础上形成的分类思想,其产生同时受到了先秦方以类聚,物以群分思想的影响。而由此及彼,递相引申的训释逻辑则是编纂旨趣和分类思想共同作用下的产物,这一思想使得《尔雅》篇与篇之间、类与类之间、词条与词条之间、同一词条不同概念之间的联系非常紧密。《尔雅》所体现的三个编纂思想,主次分明,递相引申,共同构成了一个相对完整的思想体系,也由此奠定了《尔雅》在中国训诂史、辞书史上的不朽地位。

Compilation Gist, Classification Principle and Hermeneutic Logic in Erya

Erya is the earliest comprehensive dictionary compiled on the system of semantic meanings in China. It embodies at least three comparatively apparent compilation thoughts. Firstly, Erya conveys the compilation gist to standardize Chinese characters expressed differently in various historical stages or between official and dialectical languages. Secondly, it shows the classification principle to classify Chinese characters referring to the same object and collectively expounds their meanings. Thirdly, it displays the hermeneutic logic to connect closely vocabulary entries, semantic meanings and object categories. Being the core of the compilation thoughts in Erya, the compilation gist to standardize Chinese characters helps to form the classification principle which is also influenced by the idea of Birds of a feather flock together in Pre-Qin Dynasty. The hermeneutic logic in Erya is the fruit of joint efforts between its compilation gist and classification principle. The compilation thoughts create a close relationship among chapters, categories, vocabulary entries, and different concepts of one entry. Distinguishing between the essential and the secondary principles, educing and relating each other, the three compilation thoughts in Erya constitute a comparatively complete system and establish an immortal position for Erya in the histories of Chinese hermeneutics and lexicography.