Comparative studies on Borrowing Characters in Dong-ba Scriptures in Different Regions
GAN Lu Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006
Dong-ba scriptures mainly distribute in regions of Baidi(白地), Baoshan（宝山）, Lichang(丽江) and Ludian(鲁甸) in Yunnan province. Dong-ba scriptures in these regions were quite different in writing style, phonetics and vocabulary due to the obstruction of high mountains and rivers and poor traffic conditions. Thus the borrowing characters in these regions were different. This paper will make an in-depth comparative study on the borrowing characters in Dong-ba scriptures from the regions of Baidi(白地),Lichang(丽江) and Ludian(鲁甸).
The Dong-ba scriptures originated from Baidi(白地), then it spreaded to Lichang(丽江) and Ludian(鲁甸). The quantity of borrowing characters in Dong-ba scriptures added gradually during the course of spreading. That is to say, there exist the least amount of borrowing characters in Baidi Dong-ba scriptures and the most in Ludian Dong-ba scriptures. In fact, the difference of borrowing characters in different regions is the reflection of the transformation of borrowing characters in different periods. There also exist differences in the use and selection of borrowing characters in different Dong-ba scriptures from different regions.
