Zhao Yuanren in modern academic history

Zhao Yuan Ren just talked about his translation "Go to the Mirror" (1950s). The picture was selected from "The Master of Fun"

In 1911, Zhao Yuan bought a photo equipment, began his shooting career, and recorded his life with a photo. The picture is selected from "Fun Master"

"The Fun Master -Zhao Yuan Ren's Academic Article" Zhao Yuanren Photo Zhao Xinna Huangjialin organized the Business Press

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Zhao Yuanren was the founder of modern Chinese linguistics. He first used modern scientific academic methods to conduct in -depth and systematic research on modern Chinese and in many ways. prestige. Zhao Yuanren took his academic duties and became indifferent to fame and fortune. He grew into a generation of giants with his outstanding language talent and unremitting enthusiasm for knowledge. He has a lot of talents, has a broad academic perspective and a well -known world vision. At the same time, with his deep feelings for Chinese language and culture, he has raised Chinese modern linguistics to international first -class levels with recognized academic contributions. In particular, he loves photography, leaving tens of thousands of photos behind him. The business printing library is based on "Zhao Yuan as a pilot", and it is being organized and published. Among them, the part of Zhao Yuanren's academic career has been published. The master of Zhao Yuan Ren of the Broker "(hereinafter referred to as" The Master of Fun "). The photos in the book not only have precious historical values, but also reproduce an outstanding scholar to observe the unique perspective of China and the world in the 20th century. Get deeper feelings and understanding with cultural care.

The foundation for Chinese modern linguistics with scientific methods

Zhao Yuan was born in Changzhou, Jiangsu, and was born in Tianjin in 1892. He has a very talented language. He learned Changzhou dialect, Baoding, Beijing dialect, etc. in the process of relocation with his family at an early age, which is very sensitive to the differences in dialects in various places. In 1910, Zhao Yuan -Ren won the second place in the Tsinghua Geng model to study in the United States. Language, especially Professor Davidson's voice course, made him eye -opening and enhanced his interest in linguistics. In September 1915, Zhao Yuan was transferred to the Graduate School of Harvard University for a PhD in philosophy, while continuing to take the linguistic course. At this time, Zhao Yuanren had the idea of ​​linguistics as the main business. In the 1916 diary, he mentioned his interest in linguistics. In June 1916, he wrote in his letter to Professor Saton, who was a course of teaching and science: "I especially like to learn and speak various languages ​​and dialects, and I have done a lot of research on phonetics." Where.

From the early study experience of Zhao Yuanren, it can be seen that his interest in linguistics was developed in the modern academic environment from the beginning, which is very different from scholars in traditional Chinese literature such as text, phonology, and training. Traditional scholars mainly use historical literature as the object of research, and Zhao Yuanren is interested in the living Chinese language that people speak verbally. Modern scientific methods are the tools for studying this living language. In addition to the training of phonetics and linguistics, Zhao Yuan has a lot of literacy such as philosophy and physics, and it also helps his future linguistic research. After completing the doctoral dissertation in 1918, Zhao Yuanren returned to Cornell University to teach the physics for one year. The book "The Master of Fun" includes a photo of him when he was a physics teacher at Cornell University. In the photo, he put the battery positive and negative poles on his tongue to taste the taste of "electronic volt". Duke in the scientific spirit of unknown fields. At that time, Zhao Yuanren showed a strong interest in acoustics. This emerging science came in handy in his later voice studies, dialect surveys and music creation activities.

In July 1920, Zhao Yuan returned to teach in Tsinghua and accompanied Russell to lecture in various places to serve as Russell's translation. He translated Russell's lecture into dialects that local audiences could understand, fully showing his extraordinary language ability. On the journey to accompany Russell, Zhao Yuanren took the scenery all the way. These precious travel records were included in "The Master of Fun", leaving our precious photos of Chinese social life at that time. During this time, Zhao Yuanren also settled with Yang Buwei as a lifelong companion, and the two often talked about dialects at home. In 1921, the Zhao and his wife returned to the United States. Zhao Yuanren taught philosophy and Chinese at Harvard University while continuing to study linguistics. When he returned to China to serve as a professor at the Chinese Academy of Studies in 1925, Zhao Yuanren officially decided to use Chinese linguistics and speech as his academic main attack direction.

As one of the four mentors of the Tsinghua Academy of Studies, Zhao Yuanren's guidance scope includes modern dialectics, Chinese rhymes, and ordinary linguistics. From October to December 1927, he launched a field survey in Wuyu in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. While conducting a language survey, he also recorded the great mountains and rivers of the motherland with a camera. The results of this survey were published in the "Research on Modern Wu language" the following year. This is the first Chinese application of modern linguistic methods in China to investigate and study dialects. Linguist Zhang Shilu pointed out: "The Study of Modern Wu language is a sign of the formal birth of modern Chinese dialect. Mr. Zhao's practice laid the foundation for the development of Chinese dialect."

In 1928, Zhao Yuan Ren joined the just -established historical language institute to host the work of the language group. Fu Sinian specially proposed "the purpose of the work of the Institute of History Language Research Institute", which specifically proposed that "the great success of Chinese in the future depends on various dialects." He went to Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei and other places to conduct dialect surveys, organizing a series of results. It can be seen from the photos surveyed by the 1935 Jiangxi dialect in the book "The Fun Master". During the work of the History Institute, Zhao Yuan Ren also purchased and used the most advanced language records and analysis instruments and equipment, which greatly improved the scientific and accuracy of dialect surveys. In 1934, he applied the new recording equipment for the first time in the survey of Anhui dialect. The photos taken at the time recorded the scene of his work with his assistant. At the same time, Zhao Yuanren also created a set of records, collation, induction, and analyzing the scientific methods designed to investigate Chinese dialects. The "Fang Yin Investigation Form" created by him. Use in dialect investigation work. While living in the United States in the next half of his life, Zhao Yuanren's research direction mainly turned to the field of Chinese grammar and ordinary linguistics. The "Chinese Gramics" published in 1968 is known as the masterpiece of structural linguistics, and has a milestone in the history of Chinese grammar. The book "Language and Symbol System" published in the same year systematically explained the various basic theoretical issues of linguistics, and has been translated into various languages ​​and published. These two works have further established Zhao Yuanren's position as a world -class linguist.

Looking at Zhao Yuan's academic career for more than half a century, a prominent feature is the conscious application of modern scientific methods. Mr. Chen Yuan specifically pointed out: "As a great humanistic scholar in the 20th century, Mr. Yuan Ren was very sensitive to accepting new scientific theories, and quickly introduced or applied these theories to the linguistics he was committed to." This is also Basic orientation of Chinese modern linguistics. American linguist Mary Has also praised the organic integration of science and humanities on Zhao Yuanren: "As far as I know, no one else can devote themselves to two cultures -natural sciences and humanities, these two In the middle of the 20th century, the cultivation of the culture has contributed to the two very different ways of people's lives and thoughts. However, Zhao Yuanren is ease and creative in these two aspects. " Today, which emphasizes the cross -disciplinary integration, Zhao Yuanren's academic path is particularly inspiring.

Rigid character and "fun" temperament

Zhao Yuanren is a pure scholar. Yang Buwei wrote in his memoir "Zhao Jia": "In the past few decades, I always feel that Yuan Ren can always do not have money and always do not have money. In May 1973, Zhao Yuan returned to visit relatives. He discussed with linguists such as Wang Li, Lu Shuxiang, Zhu Dexi, etc., Beijing, and Mr. Chen Yuan was here. Remember; I just left a deep impression on the outer bag in the upper left of the husband's suit; I meditated the four -tube pens symbolizing how the old scholar worked hard anytime, anywhere. " This detail presents the vivid image of a tireless university.

In the pure academic world, Zhao Yuanren showed a rigorous and serious academic character, as he said, "The scientific work only seeks the truth." The famous linguist Wang Li was a student when Zhao Yuan was appointed as the Tsinghua Academy of Studies. His graduate papers "Chinese Ancient Law" put forward a rare point of view in Western language. It is impossible to determine a certain grammar. It is easy to say, there is no difficulty! "The words" easy to say, no difficulty "have become the motto of Mr. Wang Li's academic motto since then. "The Master of Fun" includes the pictures of Zhao Yuanren's eyebrows on Wang Li's thesis, which is still enough to be alert. Zhao Yuanren's requirements for students were first of all his requirements for himself. Among the many evaluations of Zhao Yuanren's academic achievements, "rigidity" was one of the most frequently appeared comments.

It is intentional that Zhao Yuanren's academic text is also full of light and lively atmosphere. Even his papers that discussed complex theoretical issues are often spoken in daily speaking, such as the stove night talk. He often interspersed some interesting jokes in the text, such as serious theoretical works such as "Language and Symbol System". In January 1975, "Green Xin" wrote to friends), which made his academic theory often read, not to mention his "Emotional Biography" or his translation of "Alice Movement Strange Realm" Fairy tales.

The interesting part of this text comes from Zhao Yuanren's temperament. Anyone who is familiar with Zhao Yuanren is impressed by his funny humor. Hu Shi said: "Mr. Zhao is a funny person in addition to many of his specialties. Faces talk all day long. "We saw Zhao Yuanren's selfies in 1919" eating grapes three consecutive shots "and" skating ". His cute and cute character jumped on the paper. This temperament is particularly complemented with his linguistic research, and the rich language phenomenon itself is worthy of fun. Zhao Yuanren was particularly good at finding interest from language. He wrote several game text (such as a short text written in a Chinese character syllable). He liked to use homophonic or dual -style words to create a handsome effect on various occasions. For example, in 1919, when Zhao Yuan was reorganized to visit the about the about Semini National Park in California, he translated it as "You Shanmei". From the photos he took at the time, it was indeed "famous". Another example is the series of biographies he and Yang Buwei, the total name is "Life with Chaos", which literally translates as "Zhao's life", and can be interpreted as "a chaotic life". From another perspective, the mentality of this game just reflects Zhao Yuanren's state of immersion in the academic world. Zhao Yuan has liked to observe all kinds of things anytime and anywhere since he was a child. Compared with their similarities and differences, the laws behind them are full of curiosity about various society and natural phenomena including language. It is the enthusiasm for knowledge under the guidance of this "playful mentality" that gives him the purest and lasting spiritual motivation, and step by step to introduce him to the academic Olympics and let him linger in the world of linguistics.

Zhao Yuanren's curiosity and curiosity are also manifested in his interest in various new machines and equipment. His obsession with photography is the best example. In "The Master of Fun", there was a photo of his camera he bought when he first arrived in the United States to take a picture of Cornell University on campus. In September 1911, for the first time, he saw the real aircraft and took a photo with a camera. In addition, Zhao Yuanren is also keen to buy advanced instruments for the voice laboratory of the Institute of History Language. We can understand the focus of his focus when he is preparing to recording the aluminum disk. The rigorous and serious style of learning and self -enjoying, so that Zhao Yuanren achieved wonderful unity.

World vision and family feelings

Zhao Yuanren enjoys a lofty reputation in the international academic community, especially his innovative research in the field of general linguistics, and has been highly evaluated by international colleagues. The English paper "The Monopoly of Audio" published in 1934 was selected by American linguist Jos into the classic text of "Linguistics Reading". In a brief comments written for this paper, Jos praised Zhao Yuanren's "extraordinary genius and no prejudice", saying that "Zhao Yuanren will not do anything badly", it can be described as appreciated. His contribution in the research of audio position has also been fully affirmed by American linguist Haogen. In the article "The direction of modern linguistics", Hao Gen pointed out that Zhao Yuan's research in China has truly promoted linguistics to become a "international science". Because of his recognized academic achievements, he was elected as the chairman of the 1945 American Language Society. Zhao Yuan was awarded this important position as a Chinese person. He also said, "It is a thing that can be particularly proud." "The Master of Fun" included photos of Zhao Yuanren during the 1940s when he participated in the Language Society. The atmosphere of the group of sages was still desirable.

In modern Chinese academic history, it is rare to have a humanist who has been praised by the international academic community like Zhao Yuanren. From the era of school, Zhao Yuanren has been based on the forefront of the world academic, which is inseparable from his broad academic perspective and the world's vision. Many students who stayed in the same time are often troubled by the individual and the tension between the individual, the tradition and the modern, the East, and the West, and strive to seek reconciliation between different cultures. Essence He has established a scientific -oriented modern values ​​very early, which has made him not suffered a cultural impact and recognition of anxiety after he came to the United States. Linguist influence of the world. The brilliant achievements of his academic career can also be called the fruit of the integration of Chinese and Western culture.

Zhao Yuanren also had full consciousness in his own mission and character. In November 1946, Zhao Yuanren served as the chief representative of the Chinese delegation and attended the establishment of the UNESCO in Paris. He lectured with world -renowned writers and scholars such as Sartre, Marlo, Huxley, and other world -renowned writers and other world -renowned writers and read the paper at the meeting. This is a supreme honor in itself, reflecting his status as a world -class scholar. The topic of Zhao Yuanren's report is "Chinese Language as an Efficiency of Symbol System". At the end of the speech, he said: "This is my Chinese language -including its advantages and deficiencies -as the reason for my own research topics, and also my own research topic, as well The reason why I deal with the efficiency of its symbolic use from Western perspective ". This paragraph can be said to be the best summary of his research work and its significance.

From April to May 1973, the Zhao couples who had been in the motherland for more than 30 years were finally able to return to visit relatives and visit their relatives, and spent the most pleasant time in China as their hometown. After the death of Yang Buwei, from May to June 1981, Zhao Yuan was invited by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. With the daughter -in -law's son -in -law, he returned to visit again, and planned to make a trip to the motherland in the coming year. Before this wish, Zhao Yuanren passed away on February 24, 1982. The night before his death, he also chanted the poem "The Star Pacific Wild, the Yueyue River" in Du Fu's "Journey to the Night Book" in Changzhou dialect. The blood of Chinese culture has been flowing in his spiritual world until the last moment. Mr. Zhao Yuan Ren is a monument in the history of modern Chinese academic history. His talent's talent may not be imitated, but his persistence and love for academic academics, his open academic vision and deep cultural care are still worthy of today's young students to follow and pursue admiration. Essence In the most intuitive way, "The Master of Fun" presents the style of Zhao Yuan's life, which is still yearning and feelings. The author stroked this book, pursued his former sages, and briefly described his own experience, and used this small text to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the birth and death of Mr. Zhao Yuan Ren.

(Author: Ji Jianqing, an associate professor of Chinese Department of Peking University)

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