SOME RITUAL VERBS IN SHANG TEXTS
甲骨文中的几个礼仪动词
Ken-ichi Takashima 　高岛谦一

Abstract 摘要
This paper examines the syntactic behavior of a certain set of verbs in the language of oracle-bone inscriptions (LOB) that can be associated with four nouns or valents. It proposes that these verbs constitute a specific class_of verbs with the semantic features [+request] and [+rituality]. There are six such verbs attested, all of which allow the use of a fourth valent characterized as "instrument," the role borne by a sacrificial victim. This is a kind of object which is distinct from ordinary direct and indirect objects and is here referred to as "Oins." In the LOB an Oins is indicated not by any particular marker, but by the syntactic position it occupies in sentences bearing certain semantic constraints imposed by the core verb. I have attributed this syntactic feature to a specific cultural factor, namely, a belief in the idea of reciprocity implicit in the ritual of sacrifice or gift-giving. In this sense, the sacrificers or gift-givers are rewarded with what they want in life, be it material or spiritual. This "reward-cum-sacrifice" phenome-non evident in the semantically driven syntax of the ritual verbs represents an important aspect of Chinese civilization in general and Shang culture in particular.

本文考察了甲骨文中一组四价动词的句法行为。这一特定类别的动词现在发现共有六个，它们都具有[ +要求]和[ +礼仪]的语义特征。这些动词都选择工具宾语作为其第四个论元（其他三个论元是主语、直接宾语和间接宾语），而这个工具宾语是由祭牲类名词充当的。在甲骨文中，这种”工具宾语”不是由特定语法标志来标示，而是由其在句子中所处的句法位置来显示的，这种句法位置受特定的语义约束。本文把甲骨文中的这种独特的句法特征归因于一个明确的文化因素，即在祭祀中暗含的互惠观念：祭祀者会得到报答，无论他们所求的是物质的或精神的。”祭祀－受益”的现象代表着中国文明（尤其是商代文化）的特点之一。它在礼仪动词的句法中明显可见，而这种句法是由语义驱动而形成的。

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