2: Transformations in the Qing Vernacular Lexicographic Practices

The  third and final phase (1821-1911) of Qing philology from an ideological viewpoint is the one most influenced by European concepts, as evidenced by the transformation of indigenous lexicographic traditions in both their macro- and micro-structure and by the contents of paratextual materials in compilations such as Yueyan 越諺 [Sayings of Yue] by Fan Yin 笵寅 (1882), a collection including topolectal material of the vernacular register of Yue (Shaoxing) (Yue suyu 越俗語). Departing from traditional canons, the structure and the contents of Yueyan are strongly influenced by European perceptions of linguistics and grammar, emphasized by a clearer organization of the material by morphological, and phonological classes, with less importance given to semantic categories, the typical feature that characterized the organization of leishu (classified dictionaries) and most previous compilations, such as Tongsu Bian 通俗編 [Collection of popular expressions] (1751) and Zhengsu Wen  證俗文 [Rectification of popular words] (1813). Including special characters, words, sayings, riddles, songs, rhymes, suffixes, polyphonic characters, Yueyan represents a composite and more complete work from both a linguistic and a contemporary lexicographically-oriented perspective. The present study makes a contribution to our understanding of the linguistic features of a specific variety of Early Modern Chinese on the one hand, and on the other to a clearer definition of European models and influence on the Qing philology leading into the first studies of modern linguistics.