Collection of Zhang Qingchang. Volume 3

Author: Zhang Qingchang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: This small book offers a superficial observation of the names of streets and lanes in Beijing from a linguistic perspective, neither profound nor reaching the level of research. If it can be considered a preliminary attempt by Chinese scholars in sociolinguistics, presenting some scattered data and sometimes attaching superficial ideas for reference by experts and scholars, it might barely qualify. It is not to say that these scattered data are unique discoveries, nor that the superficial ideas are groundbreaking theories. It is just that roads are made by people, and this new path is centered on language, integrating social, historical, geographical, and cultural aspects, with the names of Beijing's streets and lanes as the focal point of analysis, to give it a try. Therefore, this small book includes lanes like Baixian Lane, Li Tiegua Slope, and Lü Gong (Dongbin) Hall, but lacks beautiful and moving folk tales and legends.
The "Collected Works" are rich in content, covering phonology, the history of the Chinese language, dialects, grammar, vocabulary, and language teaching. The study of hutongs is a concrete application of his phonological research. The "Collected Works" also include articles with documentary value recalling teachers and friends, as well as unpublished research papers, such as "Qieyun" and "Lectures on Phonology." From the composition of the papers, one can glimpse the general outline of Zhang Qingchang's academic and teaching career. This book includes the majority of Zhang Qingchang's writings. It also features articles with documentary value recalling teachers and friends, as well as unpublished research papers.