Discussing Chinese Culture in Detail · Discussing Chinese Character Radicals

Author: Wang Jinzhong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: This book explains the radicals of Chinese characters, and as far as I know, among such books, this one stands out as the best. Its main advantages can be summarized in four aspects:
1. It lists oracle bone script, bronze inscriptions, seal script, and finally simplified characters, making the evolution of the forms of radical characters clear at a glance.
2. For each radical character, it first conducts a form analysis, then explains its original meaning and extended meanings, establishing a preliminary semantic system for radicals. Each meaning is further supported by ancient poetry and prose, adding an interesting dimension.
3. It cites the interpretations of Xu Shen’s Shuowen Jiezi for each radical character and briefly argues for the correctness or errors of Xu Shen’s explanations, striving for objectivity.
4. It explains the evolution of each radical character from Shuowen Jiezi to the Xinhua Dictionary, allowing readers to understand the historical changes of radicals.
Mr. Zuo Min’an is a renowned literary scholar and a disciple of Professor Lu Zongjiao, a master of etymology. By inheriting the legacy of his mentor, he has achieved remarkable success in his studies. His Detailed Explanation of Chinese Characters has gained widespread popularity and has benefited many young learners. Now, he has co-authored this book with Mr. Wang Jinzhong, and its content is equally engaging and accessible to both scholars and general readers, not inferior to his previous work.
— Yang Chunlin (Renowned Literary Scholar)