Ancient Chinese (Corrected and Reprinted Edition) (Volume 2)

Author: Wang Li, Editor-in-Chief, Ji Changhong, et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: November 1, 1962
Features: The course of Ancient Chinese has had various teaching contents in different higher education institutions and periods. Some taught it as a collection of literary selections from different dynasties, some as classical Chinese grammar, some as textual criticism, phonology, and etymology, and others as the history of the Chinese language. The objectives and requirements were inconsistent. After the educational revolution of 1958, it became widely recognized that teaching must be closely linked to practice. Many higher education institutions reconsidered the teaching content of Ancient Chinese, believing that its purpose should be to cultivate students' ability to read ancient texts. To achieve this goal, both perceptual knowledge and rational knowledge were necessary. The reading of literary selections must be closely integrated with theoretical knowledge such as classical Chinese grammar, textual criticism, phonology, and etymology, so that teaching would not be one-sided and the effectiveness of Ancient Chinese instruction could be improved. As for the history of the Chinese language, it should be a separate course. 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 carried out reforms in the teaching of Ancient Chinese by combining literary selections, common words, and an introduction to Ancient Chinese, achieving better teaching results. In addition, many higher education institutions improved the teaching of Ancient Chinese with the goal of cultivating students' ability to read ancient texts. In 1959, Peking University's lecture notes on Ancient Chinese were published in only two volumes (upper and middle). In 1960, another reform was implemented, resulting in the publication of three volumes (upper, middle, and lower), all of which were not publicly distributed. The writing of the lecture notes was primarily the responsibility of 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 writing the literary selection sections of the middle and lower volumes, while postgraduate student Chen Zhenhuan and visiting teacher Xu Chaohua participated in writing parts of the upper volume.
In May 1961, after the meeting of the Higher Education Literature and Arts Textbook Selection Plan, an Ancient Chinese writing group was established. It was decided to revise the Peking University lecture notes on Ancient Chinese as a textbook for Chinese Language and Literature majors, referencing teaching materials from other institutions. The writing group gathered a portion of the teaching resources from Peking University, Beijing Normal University, Renmin University of China, Nankai University, and Lanzhou University to collaborate on the writing. In addition to the overall coordination by the editor-in-chief Wang Li, the writing group was divided into a Literary Selections Group and a Common Words Group. The Literary Selections Group was led by Xiao Zhang, and the Common Words Group was led by Ma Hanlin. The specific is as follows:
- Writers for the Literary Selections section: Xiao Zhang (Beijing Normal University), Liu Yizhi (Renmin University of China), Xu Jialu (Beijing Normal University), Zhao Keqin (Peking University)
- Writers for the Common Words section: Wang Li (Peking University), Ji Changhong (Peking University)
- Writers for the Introduction and Appendices section: Ma Hanlin (Nankai University), Guo Xiliang (Peking University), Zhu Minche (Lanzhou University)
The task of the writing group was arduous. The Peking University lecture notes were only a draft and far from meeting the requirements for public publication. This time, colleagues from several institutions collaborated, not only confirming the principle of combining literary selections, common words, and introductions but also fully utilizing the existing achievements of Peking University while making necessary revisions and additions. Some selections were replaced, and explanations and annotations were rewritten, especially with significant changes in annotations. The common words section modified some formats and explanations, and the order of words was adjusted accordingly with the changes in literary selections. The chapters and content of the introductions were also greatly revised. Each manuscript was discussed within the group, reviewed by external experts with comments, and finally decided by the editor-in-chief. Some important issues were also discussed by the entire group. We maintained this discussion approach throughout the process, believing that it could gather diverse ideas, better implement the spirit of free debate and collectivism, and further improve the quality of the book.
In January 1962, the discussion draft of the upper volume was published. At this time, a symposium was held, attended by Mr. Ding Shengshu, Mr. Zhu Wenshu, Mr. Lü Shuxiang, Mr. Hong Cheng, Mr. Yin Menglun, Mr. Lu Zongda, Mr. Zhang Qingchang, Mr. Feng Zhi, Mr. Wei Jiangong, and Mr. Jiang Liangfu, who also provided detailed written comments. The meeting lasted a week, primarily discussing the content of the upper volume, but later, opinions were also exchanged on the middle and lower volumes. After the discussion draft of the upper volume was distributed to higher education institutions and relevant organizations, feedback was received gradually, some from groups and some from individual experts. Starting in late January 1962, we began revising the upper volume while considering the need to compress the three volumes into two to better align with teaching plans. The format was also adjusted, moving explanations of literary selections into annotations or removing them entirely.
In addition to fully incorporating the opinions of experts and institutions for necessary revisions, we took this opportunity to identify further issues and rewrite many parts. The upper volume added a unit, while other units were partially revised. Therefore, it was not until the end of July of the same year that the upper volume was fully revised. The entire manuscript was reviewed by Mr. Ye Shengtao. In summary, this volume of Ancient Chinese has undergone four revisions. We know there are still many shortcomings, but any achievements are inseparable from the leadership of the Party and the encouragement and assistance of experts and teachers nationwide. Although our writing group 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 provided valuable comments.
Finally, we hope that readers, especially those engaged in teaching Ancient Chinese, will not hesitate to offer advice so that we can revise the book based on the opinions of the broader public and gradually make it more perfect.
Wang Li
July 1962