Analysis of the Historical Evolution and Reasons for the Survival and Disappearance of 8 Special “Reverse Order Words” in Dream of the Red Chamber

Abstract

The article takes 8 special “reverse order words” in Dream of the Red Chamber as the research object. It analyzes the reasons for the survival of “reverse order words” in Dream of the Red Chamber by examining the frequency and distribution of usage of each semantic term over time. The research results found that in terms of the origin of “reverse order words”, literati adjust the word order for rhyme when creating poetry. Seeking novelty, improvisation, and careful consideration are important reasons for writers to create new “reverse order words”. Some “reverse order words” undergo the process of “non lexicalization” to “lexicalization” and produce two forms of usage. In addition, dialects, the overall and dialectical thinking of the Chinese nation are also important factors in the emergence of “reverse order words”. In terms of the development of “reverse order words”, the frequency of use of a group of “reverse order words” in various dynasties is an important condition for their sustained use and development in modern Chinese. Words that conform to the ancient Chinese tone order of “flat, upward, downward, and inward” are easy to retain and use, while those that do not are eliminated.