The Syntactic Dimension of Oroqen Ethnic Group’s Traditional Patterns

Abstract

The Oroqen ethnic group is one of 55 ethnic groups in China. The study aims to investigate Oroqen traditional patterns by means of questionnaires and interviews, explore the syntactic properties of Oroqen traditional patterns, find out the semiotic mechanisms of these patterns and enrich the study of ethnosemiotics and semiotics. Five questions are explored in this study: (1) What are the features of traditional patterns in color from the syntactic dimension? (2) What are the features of traditional patterns in content? (3) What are the features of traditional patterns in sign combination? (4) What are the sign formations of traditional patterns? (5) What are the significance and implication of the study? The findings show that in terms of the content of syntactical dimension of signs, they are animal and plant, custom and tradition, history and folktale, religion and mythology, literature and opera. The colors varies according to the situations. As for the sign combination, there are sign patterns, flora patterns and mixed patterns. The sign translations include from intangible signs to tangible signs and from tangible signs to intangible signs.The elements, features, rules and meanings of traditional patterns are shed light on based on semiotic perspective to contribute to arouse people’s awareness of traditional culture protection and the extension of semiotic research scope.