Items related to Chinese Language; Fact and Fantasy
Book by DeFrancis, John
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
John DeFrancis (1911- 2009) John DeFrancis (1911–2009), Emeritus Professor of Chinese at the University of Hawai'i, graduated from Yale in 1933 and immediately departed for China to pursue his interests. In three years of study and travel, he covered over 4,000 miles in Northwest China and Mongolia, across the Gobi Desert, and down the Yellow River, immersing himself in grassroots contact with the language and people. Upon his return to the United States, DeFrancis earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from Columbia University. He taught at several institutions nationwide. Dr. DeFrancis is the author of dozens of articles and books on spoken and written Chinese, among them a widely used 12-volume set of educational materials and Visible Speech: The Diverse Oneness of Writing Systems (UH Press, 1989).
Review:
DeFrancis's book is first rate. It entertains. It teaches. It demystifies. It counteracts popular ignorance as well as sophisticated (cocktail party) ignorance. Who could ask for anything more? There is no other book like it. ... It is one of a kind, a first, and I would not only buy it but I would recommend it to friends and colleagues, many of whom are visiting China now and are adding 'two-week-expert' ignorance to the two kinds that existed before. This is a book for everyone. (Joshua A. Fishman, research professor of social sciences, Yeshiva University, New York)
Professor De Francis has produced a work of great effectiveness that should appeal to a wide-ranging audience. It is at once instructive and entertaining. While being delighted by the flair of his novel approach, the reader will also be led to ponder on some of the most fundamental problems concerning the relations between written languages and spoken languages. Specifically, he will be served a variety of information on the languages of East Asia, not as dry pedantic facts, but as appealing tidbits that whet the intellectual appetite. The expert will find much to reflect on in this book, for Professor DeFrancis takes nothing for granted. (William S.Y. Wang, professor of linguistics, University of California at Berkeley)
Professor De Francis has produced a work of great effectiveness that should appeal to a wide-ranging audience. It is at once instructive and entertaining. While being delighted by the flair of his novel approach, the reader will also be led to ponder on some of the most fundamental problems concerning the relations between written languages and spoken languages. Specifically, he will be served a variety of information on the languages of East Asia, not as dry pedantic facts, but as appealing tidbits that whet the intellectual appetite. The expert will find much to reflect on in this book, for Professor DeFrancis takes nothing for granted. (William S.Y. Wang, professor of linguistics, University of California at Berkeley)
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherUniversity of Hawaii Press
- Publication date1984
- ISBN 10 0824808665
- ISBN 13 9780824808662
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages330
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 134.23
Shipping:
US$ 5.30
Within U.S.A.
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
CHINESE LANGUAGE; FACT AND FANTA
Published by
University of Hawaii Press
(1984)
ISBN 10: 0824808665
ISBN 13: 9780824808662
New
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 1.58. Seller Inventory # Q-0824808665
Buy New
US$ 134.23
Convert currency