Xunzi is Not a Chief Chinese Representative of Arbitrariness Theory: A Reflection Based on Embodied-Cognitive Linguistics

doi:10.12002/j.bisu.506

Abstract

Abstract:

The argument regarding iconicity and arbitrariness in language has a long history. The increasing popularity of Cognitive Linguistics and Embodied-Cognitive Linguistics has led scholars to widely accept the former. Following the introduction of Saussure’s concept of arbitrariness in his Structuralist Linguistics to our country, some scholars intended to find an ancestral sage for support, with Xunzi’s saying “there is no unique way of naming...” in the article “On the Correct Use of Names” being selected as evidence. This led to Xunzi being assumed to be a main Chinese representative of arbitrariness theory. However, after having studied and analyzed Xunzi’s article for years, we have found that this assumption is seriously misguided, as his article was a precursor of his early view of embodied cognition and iconicity that is currently proposed by Embodied-Cognitive Linguistics. In this paper, we attempt to criticize this misconception from five aspects in order to ensure a correct understanding of Xunzi. Thus, we propose the research principle “I think therefore I speak”.

Keywords: Xunzi; arbitrariness theory; conventionalism; Embodied-Cognitive Linguistics; iconicity

摘要：

语言具有像似性还是任意性，这一争论由来已久。随着认知语言学和体认语言学的流行，学界现已普遍接受像似性的观点。在索绪尔结构主义语言学中的任意说传入我国后，学界有人寻找我国先哲以作呼应，如将荀子在《正名篇》中所言“名无固宜……”引为佐证，误把他视为索氏任意说的中国总代表。经过多年的研读和思考，我们发现这是一个严重的误读，荀子在这篇文章中阐发的论点其实是当今体认语言学所提出的体认观和像似性之先声。本文从5个方面批评了学界所谓“荀子是任意说的中国总代表”的观点，以期为荀子正名，倡导“我思故我云”之研究风尚。

关键词: 荀子, 任意性, 约定俗成, 体认语言学, 像似性

CLC Number:

H0/H3

Wang Yin. Xunzi is Not a Chief Chinese Representative of Arbitrariness Theory: A Reflection Based on Embodied-Cognitive Linguistics[J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2024, 46(2): 18-29.

王寅. 荀子不是任意说的中国总代表——基于体认语言学的思考[J]. 北京第二外国语学院学报, 2024, 46(2): 18-29.

Figures/Tables 1

References 41

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