Hutong and Others (Revised Edition)

Author: Zhang Qingchang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: This small book offers a superficial observation of the names of streets and lanes in urban Beijing from a linguistic perspective. It is neither in-depth nor on par with research-level work. If it can be considered a preliminary attempt by Chinese scholars in the field of sociolinguistics, presenting some scattered data and occasionally attaching superficial ideas for reference by experts and scholars, then it might barely qualify. It is not to say that these scattered pieces of data are unique discoveries, nor that the superficial ideas are groundbreaking theories. It is simply that paths are made by people, and this new approach centers on language, integrating social, historical, geographical, cultural, and other aspects, with the names of Beijing's streets and lanes as the focal point of analysis, to give it a try.