1.1 Problem solving In classical Chinese and vernacular, the real objects have existed since ancient times, but the names have only become popular in recent decades.The two names are interdependent and opposite to each other: because it advocates writing according to the spoken language, it uses tradition as the opposite, and is called classical Chinese; because it is always written in a written language that is divorced from spoken language, it uses innovation as the opposite, and is called vernacular.Classical Chinese means a language that is only seen in writing but not spoken.Vernacular, vernacular is speaking, words are spoken, and the general meaning is spoken language.The connotation and relationship between the two are quite complicated, which will be explained in chapters below.

1.2.1 Significance of the discussion We are using modern Chinese now.But there is a "Classical Chinese" sitting next to Modern Chinese.It has a great reputation and influence, and even those who do not associate with it know of it.There are many reasons for this.The main reason is our collection of documents, more than three thousand years old, most of which are recorded in it.If you want to open the warehouse to find treasure, it is the key, and you can't get in without it.Secondly, although there are great differences between classical Chinese and modern Chinese, there is a constant tension between them.On the one hand, the two have the same origin and different streams. No matter how modern Chinese develops and changes, it cannot fail to retain some features of childhood, so there will always be some similarities with classical Chinese (expressed in terms of vocabulary and syntax).On the other hand, for two thousand years, people who can write express their ideas and are accustomed to using classical Chinese. This flow of expression habits cannot but permeate into the commonly used spoken language at that time. Therefore, it has been passed down from generation to generation, and even to modern Chinese, there is still a considerable amount of it. of the classical Chinese components.In addition, there are quite a few people who believe that classical Chinese is richer than modern Chinese in terms of expression. If modern Chinese wants to increase its expressive ability, it should absorb nutrition from classical Chinese; a few people even think that if it cannot be absorbed, modern Chinese will be Can't write well.In short, because of the above circumstances and thoughts, everyone admits that we should attach importance to classical Chinese and inherit this precious cultural heritage through it.As for how to pay attention to it, different people have different opinions.Some argue that it should be learned.As far as the current situation is concerned, this kind of proposition is quite powerful, and the most obvious manifestation is that primary and secondary schools are in school according to the regulations, and many publishing houses are printing a large number of classics in classical Chinese for those who are interested to read.However, there are some people, perhaps even more in number, many of whom are proficient in classical Chinese. Their attitude towards classical Chinese is not to fully support it. Instead, they either admit that it is valuable and disapprove of learning it, or think that learning it will outweigh the gains, or It is simply opposed to the pile of old papers, such as Mr. Lu Xun was like this at one time.There are different views on the same thing, which reflects that the issues related to classical Chinese are quite complicated issues.How to solve?Also, assuming it is useful, as some people think, how can it be used?Obviously, before solving and using it, we must first have a clear understanding of all aspects of classical Chinese.

Historically, classical Chinese had an opposite, "vernacular".The two usually coexist peacefully, but in a few cases, they have been in conflict, either explicitly or implicitly.Vernacular is much older than modern Chinese, so it is natural that there will be more and more constant tension with classical Chinese.The relationship is deep, and the study of classical Chinese cannot fail to look at the vernacular; in other words, it is necessary to read more of the vernacular, so that the appearance of classical Chinese can be clearer.In addition, compared with classical Chinese, vernacular and modern Chinese are close relatives. In order to understand modern Chinese more clearly, we have to understand vernacular.What is vernacular?What is included?How was born and flourished?What is the relationship between classical Chinese and modern Chinese?To solve this series of problems, one must have a clear understanding of all aspects of vernacular.The purpose of this book, as the title suggests, is to introduce some knowledge related to classical Chinese and vernacular, and to discuss some issues related to classical Chinese and vernacular.

1.2.2 The object of the study is written language Classical Chinese, early, may be very close to spoken language, or quite close.Vernacular, as mentioned above, is spoken language.In this way, the so-called classical Chinese and vernacular involve the relationship with the spoken language.We all admit that classical Chinese and vernacular are both languages.Language is a tool for communicating (written language is sometimes just a record, such as a diary that is not intended to be read by others) affection.Tools function through material forms, such as tables and chairs function through wood, knives and axes function through steel and so on.There are two material forms of language: what appeals to hearing is sound, which we call vocal language; what appeals to vision is text, which we call written language.Compared with the two, the sound language is the basic, because in terms of birth time, it is the big brother, and the text is the younger brother; more importantly, the text is close to the copy, that is to say, it uses the shape to express the "sound". ", so the written language can even be read out and listened to (should be said, because sometimes the truth is not the case, such as the later classical Chinese).But from another point of view, it is not impossible to say that written language is the remedial force of spoken language, because in the era without recording equipment, spoken language is a word that is said, and it is hard to follow. If you want to preserve it, you have to rely on longevity. written language (only the meaning can be preserved for too long, and it is difficult to preserve the sound as it is).The relationship between the two is so inextricable.But since there are separate portals, their content must be different.Different degrees of depth are mainly determined by the nature of the characters. For example, English is pinyin, and the different degrees are shallow; Chinese characters are not pinyin, and different degrees are deep (more in classical Chinese).As far as Chinese is concerned, the important difference is that the spoken language lacks solidity. It changes with different times (for example, Han Yu studied Sima Qian, but he must not fully understand Sima Qian’s spoken language), and changes with different spaces (for example, Hebei people must Can’t fully understand the spoken language of Jiangnan people); the written language is not the same, but rather solidified, that is to say, it may not be affected by time and space, so Kang Youwei, who was born in Guangdong in the 19th century, can also understand Shaanxi before the epoch. "Historical Records" written by people.Is coagulation superiority?It's hard to say, if it is not very limited by time and space, it's fine, but it is out of touch with spoken language, so it will inevitably be separated from the masses, which cannot but be called a shortcoming.In addition, the two languages ​​will have such and other differences, and here is just one, which is about the use of their own strengths.Voiced language uses sound to express meaning, and it can use the pitch, length, charm, etc. of the sound to express different meanings and sentiments.To give a prominent example, when watching a performance, if the audience shouts "good", a short voice is positive, and a long voice is negative. The so-called "poor" is not easy to express in words.Another example is to say "he can do it, don't need to look for me", if the word "he" is said with special emphasis, the meaning is opposite to the literal meaning, which is difficult to express in words.But written language also has its own advantages, that is, the number of shapes can greatly exceed the number of syllables, so that the division of labor is finer.For example, "Yue opera" and "Cantonese opera", "benefit" and "friendship", the words are clearly distinguished, and the spoken language is combined into one, and it is difficult to distinguish without the help of the context.When we study language, because of different purposes and different scopes, we sometimes have to give consideration to sound and words, but often have a certain emphasis.The study of classical Chinese and vernacular Chinese in this book has to take a step back, leaving aside the spoken language and only dealing with the written language.

There are several reasons for this limitation.One, the most obvious, almost like an unreasonable reason, is the meaning of the title.Needless to say, classical Chinese, from Oracle and Bronze Inscriptions, to Zhang Taiyan, Wang Guowei, etc., is written; and, at least since the Qin and Han Dynasties, all written languages ​​have diverged from spoken languages.As for the vernacular, as the name suggests, it should be the same as the spoken language, but what we can see is the written text, such as what was called "Huaben" in the Song Dynasty, which is an oral story "written on the book"; "Quotations" is "recorded" spoken language; in short, it has become written language.Can this written language be seen as a mirror image of spoken language?Maybe, or roughly, but in any case, we can't infer the exact situation of the spoken language from it, that is to say, it is difficult to know the charm of the speaker's words, such as the words of Zhaozhou monk, Zhu Wengong, etc.The sound language is beyond our reach, so we have to be content with writing on "written".It has become more obvious in recent years that the vernacular cannot be separated from the written language. The literary revolution during the "May 4th" period raised vernacular to oppose classical Chinese. The intention was to "write" in vernacular instead of classical Chinese. What was written was called "vernacular", and later some people called it "verbal style". Both are "wen", so it also refers to written.Second, what this book wants to discuss is "documents". Both classical Chinese and vernacular can be found in the library, so it has to be in writing.Third, the evolution history of spoken language exists objectively, and its situation can be deduced a little bit from written language. For example, there is no light lip sound in ancient times, which is a discovery of academic value.But adding these kinds of discoveries together, we finally can't infer what Confucius' voice looks like when reading the first "Guanju"; when we go to different regions, such as Wuyue, and at different times, such as the early Han Dynasty, what exactly is there? Variety.The problems in this area are too complicated and too specialized, and it is not easy for people who study ancient sounds to get started; moreover, even if they have something to gain, ordinary people suffer from lack of interest and cannot use it.Fourth, there is another reason that is close to pragmatism. The evolution of spoken language is like water, and it cannot be controlled by human beings; this is not the case with written language, but people can be more or less independent.In this way, knowing the situation of the written language, we can easily learn from the past, develop its strengths and abandon its weaknesses, that is to say, we can apply what we have learned.In short, based on the above ideas, starting from the next chapter, there is no need to speak classical Chinese, it is vernacular. Whether it is ancient or modern, this book refers to what was written by literati and printed on paper, that is, the so-called written language. language.