Abstract：The key criterion of telling characters with alternative spellings from those with alternative configurations is the configurative principle of Chinese characters. Characters with alternative spellings are the same as the original ones in configurative principle, but this is not the case with those with alternative configurations. Characters with alternative spellings are divided into two types: those that are different in stroke, and those that are different in static structure. The second type is further divided into two groups: those with alternative structures and those with alternative numbers of structures. Characters with alternative configurations refer to the variant characters with dynamic structures. They can also be classified into two types: those with alternative character formation, and those with the same formation but alternative components. It should also be noticed that we should be misled by others confusing characters, like the misspelled, handwritten characters, when we try to distinguish characters with alternative spellings from those with alternative configurations, which is of great significance to the study Chinese characters.
孙建伟. 异写字与异构字考论[J]. 江苏大学学报（社会科学版）, 2016, 18(2): 88-92.
SUN Jian-Wei. On the Differences between Characters with Alternative
Spellings and Those with Alternative Configurations. Journal of Jiangsu University（Social Science Editi, 2016, 18(2): 88-92.
2016, Vol. 18 
