Chao Yuanren

Author: Liu Mengxi, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1996-10-01
Features: This book includes two classic works by Mr. Zhao Yuanren: A Grammar of Chinese Words and The Multipurpose Nature of Phonemic Notation. The former is the foundation of the mainstream structuralist Chinese grammar that dominated for decades, while the latter is listed as a classic work in American structuralist linguistics. Both contributed to Mr. Zhao's esteemed reputation in the international linguistic community. Additionally, works like Tonal Patterns in Chinese are gems of wisdom, revealing Mr. Zhao's profound academic expertise at every turn.
Zhao Yuanren (1892-1982), styled Xuanzhong, was born in Tianjin and hailed from Changzhou, Jiangsu. He was deeply devoted to the study of linguistics, phonology, and dialectology throughout his life, achieving remarkable accomplishments in his field and setting an exemplary standard. At the same time, he was also an accomplished musician. His major academic works include A New Rhyme Book for National Language, A Study of Modern Wu Dialect, A Phonetic Record of Yao Songs in Guangxi, An Introduction to Cantonese (English edition), Chinese Society and Aspects of Language (English edition), A Grammar of Chinese Words, Readings in Chinese Grammar, Problems of Language, and The Universal Alphabet Scheme. He also published Selected Papers on Linguistics by Zhao Yuanren.
His published song collections include A Collection of New Poems (1928), Children's Festival Songs (1934), Xiaozhuang Songs (1936), Songs for Mass Education (1939), Xingzhi Songs, and Zhao Yuanren's Song Collection (1981). In 1987, under the proposal and promotion of He Luting, the then-president of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, the Shanghai Music Publishing House released a five-line score edition of The Complete Musical Works of Zhao Yuanren, edited by his eldest daughter, Professor Rachel May (Zhao Rulan) of Harvard University. The collection includes 83 songs, 24 choral arrangements, 19 folk song arrangements, and 6 instrumental pieces, totaling 32 works in total. (Jianghuang compiled)