Description
1988 12th printing. Dust jacket has some wear and small tears along the sides. Hardcover has some minor wear along the sides, scuffs and marks. Spine has some wear on the top and bottom. Pages are clean and the binding is secure.
This well-loved copy of Janey Chen’s “A Practical English-Chinese Pronouncing Dictionary” offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich linguistic heritage of China. Published in 1988, this 12th printing bears the gentle patina of a book that has been cherished and consulted by generations of language learners and scholars. The wear on the dust jacket and hardcover speaks to the countless hours spent poring over its pages, tracing the intricate characters and mastering the nuances of Mandarin and Cantonese pronunciation.
Chen’s dictionary stands as a testament to the enduring allure of the Chinese language, a linguistic tapestry woven from millennia of cultural and philosophical traditions. Within its pages, readers embark on a journey through the evolution of Chinese script, from the ancient oracle bone inscriptions to the simplified characters adopted in the 20th century. This copy invites collectors and linguaphiles alike to immerse themselves in the intricate dance of tones, radicals, and strokes that define the written and spoken Chinese language.
Collectors will appreciate the historical significance of this edition, a snapshot of a pivotal moment in China’s linguistic landscape, when the country was embracing its cultural heritage while adapting to the demands of a rapidly modernizing world. For language enthusiasts, this dictionary offers a comprehensive resource for unlocking the secrets of Chinese pronunciation, a gateway to the rich literary and philosophical traditions that have shaped the fabric of Chinese civilization.
