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Abstract In 2025, we commemorate the 290th anniversary of the birth and the 210th anniversary of the death of the Qing Dynasty linguist Duan Yucai (1735-1815). As a master of traditional Chinese linguistics, Duan Yucai’s academic contributions are epitomized in his annotated work Shuowenjiezizhu. This monumental work not only systematically elucidates the relationships between the form, sound, and meaning of Chinese characters but also constructs a theoretical framework for traditional philology and linguistics, marking a milestone in the theorization of ancient Chinese linguistics. This article advocates that the best way to honor Duan Yucai is to excavate and inherit his linguistic theories and scientific spirit, rather than blindly adhering to Western linguistic theories.
The article summarizes Duan Yucai’s theoretical contributions in six aspects:
1. Fundamental theoretical methods in linguistic research. Duan proposed the methodologies of “mutually seeking form, sound, and meaning” and “mutually seeking ancient and modern forms, sounds, and meanings”, emphasizing the dialectical relationship between synchronic and diachronic studies. This theory predates Saussure’s “synchronic and diachronic” theory by over a century but has long been overlooked.
2. Distinction between language and speaking. In Shuowenjiezizhu, Duan clearly distinguished between language (a socially conventionalized symbol system) and speaking (individual usage), which coincides remarkably with Saussure’s theory.
3. Basic patterns of semantic evolution. By analyzing the core meanings (feature meanings) of Chinese characters, Duan revealed the logic behind semantic shifts. For example, chì (赤, red) originally denoted a color but extended to mean “utterly evident”; xí (习, birds fluttering frequently) evolved to signify “habit”.
4. Theory of “form and function sharing the fame name” (ti-yong tongcheng). Duan introduced the concept that a single word could denote both a tool and its associated action. For instance, shū (梳) refers to both a “comb” (tool) and “to comb” (action); zuān (钻) means both a “drill” and “to drill”. This theory aligns more closely with the realities of Chinese than modern “metonymy” explanations.
5. “Same term for agent and patient” (shi-shou tongci). Duan observed that certain words encompass both agentive and patient roles. For example, bǐng (稟) can mean “to bestow” or “to receive”; kào (靠) can signify “to lean against” or “to depend on”. Such dialectical analyses highlight the flexibility of Chinese semantics.
6. Basic principles of commentary classification. Duan differentiated between “explaining characters” (dictionaries focus on original meanings based on form) and “explaining classics” (commentaries interpret meanings contextually), underscoring the fundamental distinctions between Shuowenjiezi and other annotated texts. This laid the theoretical groundwork for later philological studies.
The article critiques the century-long overreliance on Western theories in Chinese linguistic research, noting that the scientific and systematic theories of scholars like Duan Yucai have been long neglected. It calls for a return to indigenous linguistic traditions, advocating for the integration of foreign scholarship while grounding research in the unique characteristics of Chinese. By excavating the “latent theories” of past scholars, the article aims at advancing the development of Chinese linguistics.
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Published: 03 September 2025
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