ABC Chinese-English Dictionary

Author: John DeFrancis
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-03-01
Features: As is well known, a dictionary not only embodies the immense effort of its compilers but also represents the collective labor of many contributors. Scholars involved in the editing of the ABC Chinese-English Dictionary are spread across three continents—Asia, America, and Australia. Each fulfills their respective responsibilities while collaborating closely. Many contributed their work without compensation for the dictionary's compilation and publication.
The editor-in-chief and "soul" of the ABC Chinese-English Dictionary, John DeFrancis, a ninety-two-year-old retired professor from the United States, is based at the University of Hawai?i. He works alongside the editor-in-chief, Zhang Yanhua, in overseeing the daily editorial tasks, coordinating information and feedback from various sources. The deputy editor, Victor Mair, teaches at the University of Pennsylvania and served as a visiting professor at the University of Hong Kong from 2002 to 2003. Robert Sanders teaches in Japan, Zhang Yanhua taught during the later stages of dictionary compilation at Clemson University in South Carolina, and Zhang Liqing also taught at the University of Pennsylvania. Tom Bishop works in Oregon. James Dew and Robert Hsu, both retired professors, reside in California. Mr. Yin Bingyong (deceased) and Mr. Xu Wenkan worked in Beijing and Shanghai, respectively. This author taught at the Australian National University in Canberra and later moved to Hawai?i to replace Zhang Yanhua.
These contributors were responsible for selecting and defining entries, determining parts of speech, raising funds, applying computer technology, proofreading, and other tasks. The compilation process of the ABC Chinese-English Dictionary was like a theatrical production, where each "actor" played their role perfectly while working closely with others and the "director" to ensure the play was successfully completed for the audience. Unlike stage theater, these "actors" and "directors" were spread across five countries and regions on three continents, communicating and collaborating via computers. Editors or any individual could use computers to stay in touch with relevant personnel at any time, gather opinions from all sides, and discuss the best solutions, thereby reaching consensus quickly.
We hope that the ABC Chinese-English Dictionary, which embodies the collective efforts of experts and scholars from around the world, will benefit every user. We also wish Shanghai Chinese-English Dictionary Press to publish more excellent dictionaries, becoming a strong bridge for Sino-foreign exchange and academic research.
This book is a new large-scale Chinese-English dictionary jointly presented to global readers by the University of Hawai?i Press and Shanghai Chinese-English Dictionary Press. It is part of the ABC Chinese-English Dictionary series. In addition to this volume, other publications include the ABC Chinese-English Dictionary, the ABC Chinese-English Dictionary Pocket Edition, and the ABC Chinese-English Proverb Dictionary. Building upon the ABC Chinese-English Dictionary, this edition has undergone extensive revisions and supplements, edited by the renowned sinologist John DeFrancis, and completed over six years.
The ABC Chinese-English Dictionary features the following:
1. Extensive Word Selection: The book contains 196,373 entries, with special attention paid to newly coined words, new meanings, and terms reflecting traditional Chinese culture.
2. Accurate and Concise Definitions: Parts of speech and usage ranges are clearly marked.
3. Single-Letter Alphabetical Order: Facilitates easy retrieval.
4. Standardized Pinyin: Strictly follows the latest national standard for Pinyin orthography.
5. Traditional Characters: Each entry includes corresponding traditional characters, along with information on traditional, simplified, and variant characters.
6. Computer-Assisted Editing: Features innovative layout design and an appropriate length.