Reading in Asian Languages : Making Sense of Written Texts in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean

Reading in Asian Languages is rich with information about how literacy works in the non-alphabetic writing systems (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) used by hundreds of millions of people and refutes the common Western belief that such systems are hard to learn or to use. The contributors share a comprehensive view of reading as construction of meaning which they show is fully applicable to character-based reading.

The book explains how and why non-alphabetic writing works well for its users; provides explanations for why it is no more difficult for children to learn than are alphabetic writing systems where they are used; and demonstrates in a number of ways that there is a single process of making sense of written language regardless of the orthography. Unique in its perspective and offering practical theory-based methodology for the teaching of literacy in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean to first and second language learners, it is a useful resource for teachers of increasingly popular courses in these languages in North America as well as for teachers and researchers in Asia. It will stimulate innovation in both research and instruction.

Ken Goodman is Professor Emeritus of the University of Arizona.

Shaomei Wang is a lecturer in German, Russian and Asian Languages and Literature at Tufts University.

Mieko Shimizu Iventosch teaches Japanese as a foreign language at Pima Community College and at the University of Arizona.

Yetta Goodman is Regents Professor Emerita of the University of Arizona.