Mandarin Chinese: An Introduction

Mandarin Chinese: An Introduction provides a systematic overview of Mandarin Chinese from the perspective of the English-speaking learner. Using a comparative approach, it contrasts grammatical and other features in Mandarin Chinese language with relevant issues in English. The book opens with a chapter on the setting of the Chinese language, giving a brief account of the historical, geographical, social, and linguistic background of China. Modern Chinese politics has played an important role in the development of modern standard Chinese, and this is discussed in a separate chapter. Subsequent chapters cover sounds and tones, writing, vocabulary, grammar, and discourse (including regional accents and dialects, gender, and written versus spoken Chinese). Mandarin Chinese brings a wide range of topics and issues together in one volume, presenting a coherent, easy-to-follow picture of the language, and a practical, efficient way to learn.