Ancient Chinese - Volume 1 (Corrected and Reprinted Edition)

Author: Wang Li, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publication Date: 1999-05-01
Features: Ancient Chinese as a course has had various teaching contents in different high schools and periods. Some were taught as selections from different dynasties, others as written language grammar, some as characters, phonology, and etymology, and some as the history of the Chinese language. The objectives and requirements were not consistent. After the 1958 educational revolution, it was further recognized that teaching must be linked to practice. Many high schools reconsidered the teaching content of Ancient Chinese, believing its purpose should be to cultivate students' ability to read ancient books. To achieve this goal, both perceptual knowledge and rational knowledge are required. The reading of selected texts must be closely combined with theoretical knowledge such as written language grammar, characters, phonology, and etymology, so that our teaching is not one-sided and thereby improves the teaching effectiveness of Ancient Chinese. As for the history of the Chinese language, it should be a separate subject; the history of the Chinese language is a theoretical course, while Ancient Chinese is a tool course, with different objectives and requirements. In 1959, Peking University conducted reforms in the teaching of Ancient Chinese by combining selected texts, common words, and general theories of ancient Chinese, achieving better teaching results. In addition, many other high schools improved the teaching of Ancient Chinese with the goal of cultivating students' ability to read ancient books.
The Ancient Chinese textbook for Peking University in 1959 was published in only two volumes (Upper and Middle). In 1960, another reform was implemented, and a three-volume edition (Upper, Middle, and Lower) was published, neither of which was publicly distributed. The drafting of the textbook was primarily led by Wang Li, with the participation of Lin Tao, Tang Zuofan, Guo Xiliang, Cao Xianzhuo, Ji Changhong, Zhao Keqin, and Chen Shaopeng. Additionally, students from the 1957 class of the Language Department of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Peking University participated in drafting the selected texts for the Middle and Lower volumes in 1960. Graduate student Chen Zhenhuan and visiting teacher Xu Chaohua also contributed to drafting parts of the Upper volume.
In May 1961, after the conference on the compilation plan for liberal arts textbooks in higher education institutions, an Ancient Chinese drafting team was established. It was decided to revise the Peking University Ancient Chinese textbook as the foundation, referencing teaching materials from other schools, and to use it as a textbook for Chinese Language and Literature majors. The drafting team gathered part of the teaching resources from Peking University, Beijing Normal University, Renmin University of China, Nankai University, and Lanzhou University, with (cooperative division of labor). In addition to the overall coordination by the Editor-in-Chief Wang Li, the team was divided into a Selected Texts Group and a Common Words and General Theory Group. The Selected Texts Group was led by Xiao Zhang, and the Common Words and General Theory Group was led by Ma Hanlin. The specific (cooperative division of labor) is as follows:
- Selected Texts Section: Xiao Zhang (Beijing Normal University), Liu Yizhi (Renmin University of China), Xu Jialu (Beijing Normal University), Zhao Keqin (Peking University)
- Common Words Section: Wang Li (Peking University), Ji Changhong (Peking University)
- General Theory Section (including Introduction and Appendices): Ma Hanlin (Nankai University), Guo Xiliang (Peking University), Zhu Minche (Lanzhou University)
The task of the drafting team was arduous. The Peking University textbook was only a draft, far from meeting the requirements for public publication. This time, colleagues from several schools collaborated, not only confirming the principle of combining selected texts, common words, and general theory but also fully utilizing the original achievements of Peking University while making necessary modifications and supplements. Some selected texts were replaced, and explanations and notes were rewritten, with significant changes made to the annotations. The Common Words section revised some formats and explanations, and the order of words was adjusted to match the changes in selected texts. The chapters and content of the General Theory section were also significantly revised. Every draft was discussed within the team, reviewed and commented on by external parties, and finally decided by the Editor-in-Chief. Some important issues were also discussed by the entire team. We (adhered to) this discussion approach throughout; we believe that it helps gather wisdom from all sides, better implement the spirit of (Hundred Flowers Movement), and foster collectivism, thereby further improving the quality of the book.
In January 1962, the draft of the Upper volume was published. At that time, a symposium was held, attended by professors such as Ding Shengshu, Zhu Wenshu, Lü Shuxiang, Hong Cheng, Yin Menglun, Lu Zongda, Zhang Qingchang, Feng Zhi, Wei Jianong, and Jiang Liangfu, who also provided detailed written comments. The conference lasted a week, primarily discussing the content of the Upper volume, but in the end, opinions were also exchanged on the Middle and Lower volumes. After the draft of the Upper volume was sent to various high schools and relevant institutions, responses were received (gradually). Some were collective opinions, while others were individual opinions of experts. Starting in late January 1962, we began revising the Upper volume while considering the need to compress the three volumes (Upper, Middle, and Lower) into two to better fit teaching plans. The format was also adjusted, moving explanations to annotations or deleting them directly. In addition to fully incorporating expert and school feedback for necessary revisions, we also took the opportunity to identify further issues and rewrite many parts. The Upper volume was supplemented with an additional unit, and other units were partially rewritten. Therefore, it was not until the end of July of the same year that the revision of the Upper volume was completed.
The entire manuscript of this book was reviewed by Mr. Ye Shengtao. In summary, this Upper Volume of 《Ancient Chinese》 has been revised four times. We know that there are still many shortcomings in it; any achievements are inseparable from the leadership of the Party, as well as the encouragement and support of experts and teaching staff across the country. Although the drafting team consisted of only nine people, the compilation of this book involved the labor of thousands. We sincerely express our gratitude to the experts and colleagues who have provided valuable comments.
Finally, we hope that readers, especially those engaged in the teaching of Ancient Chinese, will not hesitate to offer their insights so that we can revise this book based on the opinions of the masses, gradually making it more perfect. Wang Li