| Summary: | 博士 === 東海大學 === 中國文學系 === 101 === In oracle bone script, the words and mean “you” (to assist or urge), “you” (to have) and “you” (also), respectively. “侑” (you; to assist or to urge) is used when urging the ancestors to eat, “有” (you; to have) denotes existence or possession, and “又” (you; also) is used as a conjunction.
The semantics of these vocabulary words were explained in literal definitions combined with word configurations. For example, the character “to assist or urge (侑)” resembles the ritual practice of urging the ancestors to eat, and the word “to have (有)” resembles the shape of a hand. To understand the syntax of these words, we used argument structure to explain the categories of the verbs. For example, “to assist or urge (侑)” worship is a transitive verb; “to have (有),” which denotes existence and possession is a transitive verb, and “to have (有),” which denotes appearance is an intransitive verb. Furthermore, “to have (有)” in “‘to have (有)’ + noun” can serve as a prefix and phase achievement indication. Conversely, the “to have ” in “‘to have (有)’ + verb” is a situation-based auxiliary verb that reflects realis moods. “Also (又)” is used as a parallel conjunction that connects words and phrases. To understand the pragmatics of these words, we used the focus method and language and actual contexts to explain the linguistic phenomena of oracle bone script.
In this study, we analyzed the interactive relations among syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and configuration. To analyze interaction between syntax and semantics, we used argument structure and semantic roles, defining “to assist or urge (侑)” as a one-object transitive verb. Employing syntactic iconicity, we explained that the rituals practiced in worship reflected the linear order of time. By using syntax and pragmatics analysis, involving phrase structure tests and syntactic movement, we elucidated that the change in the linear order of oracle bone script originated from the demonstration of focus and topic. In addition, we used the empty category classified under syntax to clarify that the omission in the oracle bone scripts occurred at the pragmatic level. The oracle scripts in a pragmatic environment can be expressed in a declarative sentence structure to convey questions. “Also (又)” enables omission at the pragmatics level and can be used to connect two nouns or two predicates. Finally, we elaborated on the interactive relations among syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and configurations. When “侑伐” (you fa; urging the ancestors to eat) is used during worship, the character “伐” can be categorized as a noun or a verb. Because the configuration and semantics are closely related, they can be used to represent “伐祭” (fa ji; worship) and “伐牲” (fa sheng; sacrifice). Because of the pragmatic omission, “fa ji” in the syntactic structure may beget numbers or the term” fa sheng.” The term “fa sheng” in the phrase structure can also embody the ritual that is being practiced.
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