A Grammar for Component Combination in Chinese Characters (Classic Reprint)

Unfold the hidden structure of Chinese characters with a practical two‑dimensional grammar

This exploration introduces a three‑level generative grammar that analyzes how Chinese characters are built from components and frames. It shows how a complex writing system can be described with rules that resemble linguistic grammar, extended into two dimensions.

The book explains the concepts of components, frames, and positioning, and then demonstrates how a formal system can account for a wide range of characters. It also evaluates the grammar against criteria used for natural languages, offering insight into both theory and application.

• Learn how characters are segmented into components and arranged within frames.
• See how co‑occurrence and placement constraints shape well‑formed characters.
• Explore a three‑level grammar that covers structure, component interaction, and lexicon selection.
• Understand evaluation criteria like completeness and tightness in a two‑dimensional language context.

Ideal for readers seeking a rigorous, yet accessible look at how linguistic ideas can illuminate the structure of Chinese characters and their generation.