汉语与英语的任意性和象似性——基于复杂动态系统理论的分析

Arbitrariness and Iconicity in Chinese and English—An Analysis Based on Complex Dynamic Systems Theory

摘要: 本文采用复杂动态系统理论(CDST)作为分析框架，比较了汉语与英语在任意性和象似性方面的特点。分析结果发现汉字的视觉形象和声音形象体现了象似性特征，而英语字母则表现出任意性的特质。探讨了汉字从象形字到会意字再到形声字的演变过程，及其如何反映语言系统与文化及社会环境的相互作用。同时，本文也审视了英语中的声音象似性，并发现两种语言在功能和结构上呈现出相似性。通过研究声音与性别、情感之间的关系，揭示了语言如何在社会文化影响下展示性别特征的动态适应性。文章最后讨论了这些发现对第二语言教学的启示，强调了深入理解这些语言特性对于教学策略设计的重要性。

Abstract: Employing Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST) as the analytical framework, this paper delves into the characteristics of arbitrariness and iconicity in Chinese and English. It observes that the visual and phonetic images of Chinese characters reveal iconic connections, whereas the English alphabet exhibits traits of arbitrariness. The study explores the evolution of Chinese characters from pictograms and ideograms to phonograms and how these reflect the interplay of the language system with cultural and social environments. The phonetic iconicity in English is also examined, uncovering structural and functional parallels between the two languages. By investigating the relationships between sounds and gender, as well as emotions, the research uncovers how languages dynamically adapt gender characteristics under socio-cultural influences. The paper concludes with a discussion on the pedagogical insights of these findings for second language teaching, emphasizing the importance of a deep understanding of these linguistic features for devising teaching strategies.