The study of Japanese borrowings in Xiandai Hanyu cidan (7th edition) = 《現代漢語詞典》（第7版）中的日語譯借詞研究

Abstract

This thesis investigates the presence and evolution of Japanese borrowings in modern Chinese, focusing specifically on their representation in the seventh edition of the Xiàndaì hànyǔ cídiǎn. The primary aim of the study is to identify, classify, and analyze Japanese loanwords within this authoritative dictionary, thereby examining their linguistic characteristics and tracing their historical development and adaptation within the Chinese language. Utilizing a combination of quantitative analysis and cross-linguistic dictionary comparison, the research delves into the complexities and nuances of these loanwords, revealing their unique nature and the challenges they present for proper identification and classification. The study begins by establishing the significance of Japanese borrowings in the context of modern Chinese, highlighting their historical roots and the pathways through which they entered the language. A detailed examination of semantic and morphological loanwords from Japanese is conducted, with particular attention paid to the academic and technical terminology that has been significantly influenced by Japanese. Semantic loanwords are scrutinized for their initial emergence and subsequent development, showcasing how these terms have been adopted and adapted in various academic disciplines, thereby shaping modern Chinese lexicon in specialized fields. Morphological loanwords are analyzed in terms of their structural composition, providing insights into their adaptation processes within the Chinese language. The study categorizes these loanwords based on their morphemic structure, such as bimorphemic and multimorphemic forms, and explores the patterns of their integration into Chinese. This analysis reveals not only the linguistic adaptations that occur during the borrowing process but also the ways in which these loanwords influence the morphological landscape of modern Chinese. A significant portion of the research is dedicated to exploring the dynamic nature of Japanese loanwords, illustrating their evolution over time. This includes the adaptation of ancient Chinese terms into modern contexts, the polysemy of loanwords, and their semantic extensions. The study highlights how some Japanese borrowings retain their original meanings while others undergo substantial changes, acquiring new and contextually specific significances within the Chinese language. This dynamic evolution underscores the fluid nature of linguistic exchange and the ongoing interaction between Japanese and Chinese. The findings of this thesis contribute to a deeper understanding of cross linguistic influences and the complex interplay between Japanese and Chinese. By refining the criteria for identifying Japanese loanwords and offering a detailed classification system, the study provides a clearer and more nuanced picture of how these borrowings integrate into and influence modern Chinese. This research not only enhances our knowledge of language contact and lexical borrowing but also emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamic and bidirectional nature of linguistic exchange between Japanese and Chinese. Overall, this thesis offers a comprehensive analysis of Japanese borrowings in modern Chinese, discussing on their significance, classification, and evolutionary dynamics. It enriches the field of linguistic studies by providing valuable insights into the processes of language contact and borrowing, and by elucidating the ways in which Japanese loanwords have become an integral part of modern Chinese lexicon.