문화적 관념이 한자 해석에 미치는 원리-『第五游』의 字釋을 통해 본 沈有鎮의 政治意識

Abstract

This paper analyses how cultural ideas come into play and affect the interpretation on a word’s very complex and layered meaning in Diwuyou(第五游) written by Yujin Sim(沈有鎭) in the Late 18th Century, the earliest systematic etymological Dictionary of Chinese Characters of Joseon period. Diwuyou contains 1552 main entries written in the "regular script"(kaishu) followed by “Seal Script”(xiaozhuan), and provides the interpretation of formation, meaning, structure, pronunciation, semantic change and some supplementary comments for each character. We think all dictionaries seem to provide neutral information, but to arrange and interpret various usages of a word consistently, a set of values and attitudes of their editors cannot help being included. However hard editors of dictionaries try to provide objective information, they cannot be value neutral: dictionaries involve both attitudes and values. The aim of the paper is, thus, to analyses and uncover the hidden consent of dominant ideas and value orientation of Yujin Sim’s age reflected in the interpretations of Chinese characters of Diwuyou. The consent was implicit or hidden because Sim tried to be systematic and consistent in his data collection method concerning brush strocks and make detailed records of origin and history of words. Then, defying the age-old tradition of Shuowenjiezi(說文解字), he defined the meanings of words in 18th century Korean contexts. But by reading Diwuyou more deeply, you can find that the content, methodology, and the very culture of Diwuyou were the product of such a dominant ideology of the age as “neo-confucianism” which drove ruling elites very critical against Buddhist doctrine in the 18th century, an approval of “a divinely sanctioned, hierarchical political and social order as a universal and cosmic order and admiration of the core values of peace, non-violence, harmony and modesty.”