Unlocking the Enigma: Imagery and Meaning in Chinese Characters

Abstract

Abstract Phonetic characters neatly tie letters to pronunciation for recording speech sounds. Conversely, Chinese characters deviate from this phonetic simplicity, as their meanings veiled behind a mysterious ideological mechanism. Our analysis, spanning 9,000 regular script Chinese characters, unravels this enigma, revealing a rich tapestry of imagery encapsulating experiential events. Unlike their phonetic counterparts, Chinese characters refrain from direct sound representation. Instead, our findings illuminate a fascinating revelation—these characters employ imagery as metaphors to convey meanings. In essence, the structures themselves craft mental representations of experiences tied to word meanings. This intricate dance between structure and meaning forms a powerful ideological connection, facilitating our comprehension of word meanings. To systematically explore these visual metaphors, we establish four necessary conditions, adhering to scientific rigor and steering clear of unwarranted speculation. By collecting and analysing the meanings of characters sharing identical structures, we distill structural imagery that meets our stringent criteria. In conclusion, we identify the structural imagery underpinning 9,000 regular script Chinese characters and their intricate formations. Additionally, we outline five cognitive patterns governing their interactions. These revelations reveal the mechanism of ideogram formation in the Chinese language, offering a guiding theory for the nuanced study of Chinese word formation. Beyond theoretical significance, our research has practical implications, as it could enhance the efficiency of Chinese word acquisition.