Abstract: The “edict” in the Western Zhou period is a respectful term used by the recipients towards the discourse act of “imperial ordering”. When “imperial ordering” is concretized into written documents,the “edict” is employed as a stylistic noun. Due to the involvement of lower-status individuals in compiling “edict” documents,the passive position of the recipients in the discourse power relationship is expressed. This occurs during the process of transforming ceremonial discourse into classical texts. The core text of transmitted “edict” documents consists of the original proclamations issued during the conferment and reward ceremonies. Its structural components include the narrative introductions explaining the historical context of proclamations and structural elements represented by phrases like “someone said”. The repetitive and parallel appearance of “someone said” in written imperial edict texts helps clarify and refine the speaking subject,but also hints at the variability of imperial edict texts in the transmission process. The insertion of “the king said so” to some extent reflects the transmitter's understanding of the original content hierarchy,and promotes the process of transforming proclamations into textual compositions.

Key words: imperial edict documents, textual structure, textual generation, discourse power, text transcription