Chinese (Cambridge Language Surveys) - Softcover

Norman, Jerry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521296536 ISBN 13: 9780521296533

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1988

Synopsis

This general introduction to the study of Chinese traces the language's history from its beginnings in the second millennium B.C. to the present, and provides a clear picture of the contemporary language and its sociolinguistic status. Chinese, in its numerous dialects, has more speakers than any other language in the modern world, and this vast extension in time and space brings to its study an exceptional complexity. Nevertheless, Norman's crisp organization and lucid elegance make this extraordinary range of material easily accessible even to those with an elementary understanding of linguistics. Chinese includes information on the genetic and typological connections of the language, the writing system, the classical and early vernacular tongues, the modern language and non-standard dialects, and the history of linguistic reform in China.

About this title

Book Description:

A general introduction to the study of Chinese traces the language's history from the second millennium B.C. through the present and provides a contemporary view of its sociolinguistic status.

From the Back Cover:

This general introduction to the study of the Chinese language traces its history from its beginnings in the second millennium BC to present day and provides a clear picture of the contemporary language and its sociolinguistic status.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1988
• ISBN 10: 0521296536
• ISBN 13: 9780521296533
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 306