JOURNAL ARTICLE

Are Daojing and Dejing stylistically independent of each other: A stylometric analysis with activity and descriptivity.

  • Published In: Digital Scholarship in the Humanities, 2023, v. 38, n. 1. P. 434 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Zhou, Haiyan; Jiang, Yue; Wang, Letao 3 of 3

Abstract

This article quantitatively investigates whether Daojing and Dejing, the two sections of the DaoDejing (Tao Te Ching) traditionally attributed to Laozi, are stylistically independent texts as previously claimed. Using the quantitative linguistics metrics of activity (proportion of verbs) and descriptivity (proportion of adjectives), the study finds that both sections are significantly active texts but do not differ significantly from each other in these measures, either holistically or in segmented analysis. Further analysis of the dynamic distribution of verbs and adjectives (Q-sequence) shows similar patterns in both sections, with Daojing better fitted by a Morse function and Dejing by a beta function, reflecting a synergic and self-regulating linguistic process rather than distinct authorship. The findings challenge prior qualitative assertions of separate authorship and suggest stylistic homogeneity between Daojing and Dejing within the DaoDejing.

Additional Information

  • Source:Digital Scholarship in the Humanities. 2023/04, Vol. 38, Issue 1, p434
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Science
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:2055-768X
  • DOI:10.1093/llc/fqac042
  • Accession Number:162941104
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