Ancient Chinese Volume 1 (Revised and Reprinted Edition)

Author: Wang Li
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-05-01
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 not consistent. After the educational revolution of 1958, it became clear that teaching must be connected 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 books, which required both perceptual knowledge and rational knowledge. It was necessary to closely integrate the reading of literary selections with theoretical knowledge such as classical Chinese grammar, textual criticism, phonology, and etymology, so that the teaching would not be one-sided and the effectiveness of Ancient Chinese teaching 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 general discussions on 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 books. In 1959, Peking University's teaching materials for Ancient Chinese only included the first and second volumes, which were not publicly published. In 1960, another reform was carried out, and the materials were reprinted into three volumes (first, second, and third), which were also not publicly published. The writing of the teaching materials was mainly led by Wang Li, with the participation of Lin Tao, Tang Zuofan, Guo Xiliang, Cao Xianzhuo, Ji Changhong, Zhao Keqin, and Chen Shaopeng. In addition, students from the 1957 class of the Language Department of the Chinese Language and Literature Department of Peking University participated in writing the literary selections for the second and third volumes. Graduate student Chen Zhenhuan and advanced teacher Xu Chaohua also participated in writing parts of the first volume.
In May 1961, after the meeting of the Higher Education Literature and Arts Textbook Selection and Compilation Plan, an Ancient Chinese writing group was established. It was decided to revise the teaching materials of Peking University's Ancient Chinese as the foundation, referencing teaching materials from other institutions, and to use them as textbooks for Chinese Language and Literature majors. The writing group gathered some teaching personnel from Peking University, Beijing Normal University, Renmin University of China, Nankai University, and Lanzhou University to work together on the writing. In addition to the overall work being led by the chief editor Wang Li, the writing group was further divided into a literary selection group and a common word general discussion group. The literary selection group was led by Xiao Zhang, and the common word general discussion group was led by Ma Hanlin. The specific is as follows:
- Writers for the literary selection 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 word section: Wang Li (Peking University), Ji Changhong (Peking University)
- Writers for the general discussion section (including preface and appendices): Ma Hanlin (Nankai University), Guo Xiliang (Peking University), Zhu Minche (Lanzhou University)
The task of the writing group was arduous. The teaching materials of Peking University were only drafts and were far from meeting the requirements for public publication. This time, colleagues from several schools worked together. In addition to affirming the general principle of combining literary selections, common words, and general discussions, they fully utilized the existing achievements of Peking University while making necessary revisions and additions. Some articles in the literary selection section were replaced, and the solutions and explanations were rewritten, especially with significant changes in annotations. The common word section modified some formats and explanations, and the order of words was adjusted according to the changes in the literary selections. The chapters and content of the general discussion section were also greatly revised. Each manuscript was discussed within the group, reviewed by external parties with comments, and finally decided by the chief editor. Some important issues were also discussed by the entire group. We this discussion method throughout; we believe that it can gather wisdom from all sides, 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 first 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, and Mr. Wei Jianong, as well as Mr. Jiang Liangfu, who provided detailed written comments. The meeting lasted a week, mainly discussing the content of the first volume, but in the end, opinions were also exchanged on the second and third volumes. After the discussion drafts of the first volume were sent to various higher education institutions and relevant units, feedback was received gradually. Some were collective opinions, while others were individual opinions of experts. Starting in late January 1962, we began revising the first volume, while also considering compressing the three volumes into two to better meet teaching plan requirements. The format was also changed, moving the explanations of each literary selection into annotations or removing them entirely. In addition to fully absorbing the opinions of experts and institutions for necessary revisions, we took this opportunity to identify further issues and rewrite many parts. The first volume added a unit, and other units were partially rewritten. Therefore, it was not until the end of July of the same year that the first volume was finally revised.
The entire manuscript of this book was reviewed by Mr. Ye Shengtao. In summary, this first volume of Ancient Chinese has been revised four times. We know that there are still many shortcomings in it; any achievements it may have are inseparable from the leadership of the Party, as well as the encouragement and help of experts and teachers across the country who teach Ancient Chinese. Although our writing group consists 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 teaching Ancient Chinese, will not hesitate to offer advice so that we can revise the book based on the opinions of the masses and gradually make it perfect. Wang Li