Folk Characters in Duhuang Manuscripts

The so-called folk character is referred to as common characters popular in the folk which is exactly contrary to regular characters in history. The preface of Ganlu Zishu written by Yan Yuansun, writes that, the so-called folk characters have advantages for the convenience of daily using. Only in the booklets of recording family members or taxing, written papers, deeds and prescriptions for some medicine, these are not included in fine language, so it won’t make mistakes if folk characters are employed. If it needs reforming, my advice is to embrace it, and folk characters shouldn’t be omitted. Folk characters are contrast to regular characters which are recognized by the official department and their structures have a long history. Yan Yuansun once commented, regular words are certificated by the authority that can be employed in official documents. Folk characters in particular period is relative to regular characters in corresponding period. Besides, their relationship will change as time goes by.