《신청년(新靑年)》에 나타난 언어 관련 논의 분석

Abstract

This study focuses on the discussions on language and letters published in New Youth, with the purpose of analyzing the Chinese view on language during the modern era. Considered as key components for the civilization and enlightenment of the Chinese society, language and letters were frequent topics of discussion in New Youth. This study focuses on four specific topics of discussion, the Zhuyin fuhao, Esperanto, views on grammar, and the forms of horizontal writing and punctuation marks. First, the discussions on the Zhuyin fuhao in New Youth reflect the transition in the phonetic representation of Chinese characters. The changes in the phonetic representation of Chinese characters, from stroke-based representation to romanization, are detailed in the magazine. Second, two opposing ideas, of viewing language as an instrument, based on its utility and effectiveness, and of viewing language in a nationalist point of view in relation to the Chinese people, clash in the essays on Esperanto. Third, in New Youth, the notion of “grammar” is different from the grammar derived from the Western culture. “Grammar” in New Youth is perceived as rhetoric, and through grammar New Youth aims on establishing a new form of literature and encouraging people to write in Baihua. Fourth, by adopting horizontal writing and new punctuation marks, New Youth attempts changes in linguistic forms of the Chinese language. Moreover, New Youth sparks discussions on whether such forms should be wholly adopted or be modified to fit the Chinese language. Through discussions on language and letters, New Youth reflects the view on language in modern China.