Modern Chinese Characters : English. 397 pages. By Yin Binyong and John S. Rohsenow. Introduction: Chinese characters, with their unfamiliar rectangular outlines and complex structures, often appear to foreign learners to be an insuperable stumbling block. In fact, however, as long as the basic rules are grasped and right methods employed, it is not too hard to get started and it is also quite possible to gain a firm mastery of the written language. This book introduces in a lively and accessibly way the origins, evolution, and composition of Chinese characters, their shapes, total numbers, pronunciation, meanings, and correct formations, as well as their dictionary ordering and consultation. The book will serve as a key to the fascinating realm of Chinese characters.
This volume is essential for studying the evolution and development of Chinese characters from their earliest forms to the present day. the authors have put together a concise, accessible introduction and comprehensive reference, including such topics asbLaws of Chinese Character Development, Methods of Construction, Frequency of Occurrence, Standards for Ordering Strokes, Characters Often Wrongly Used/b, and useful appendices on simplified characters, chronologies, bibliographies, and much more. Recommended for beginning students or advanced scholars. Many illustrations.
