Origins of Musical Terminology in Chinese: Etymology, Cultural Context, and Borrowings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52575/2712-7451-2025-44-3-600-610Keywords:
the Chinese language, musical instruments, musical terminology, history, Confucianism, Taoism, borrowings, cultural contacts, globalizationAbstract
This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical development and cultural specificity of Chinese musical terminology, with an emphasis on the names of traditional musical instruments. The paper examines the influence of China's key philosophical schools, Confucianism and Taoism, on the classification structure and principles of naming instruments. Particular attention is paid to studying the origins of terms related to such iconic instruments as the qin (琴), bianzhong (编钟) bronze bell set, and xiao (箫). It also analyzes the emergence of borrowed designations, including pipa (琵琶), yangqin (扬琴), and huqin (胡琴), conditioned by cultural contacts with India, Persia, and other regions. The text examines in detail the features of linguistic borrowing, changes in the phonetic form of loanwords, and shifts in their meanings. It is emphasized that the system of Chinese musical terminology combines elements of traditional continuity and openness to external influences in the context of a globalizing cultural space. The results of the analysis are important for the development of musical linguistics and intercultural communication, and are also used in the field of protection and transmission of cultural traditions.
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