Guard the Language Forest

Author: Jin Wenming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: German linguist August Schleicher once said that language is like a great tree. He believed that language has its own life. Chinese essayist Qin Mu, on the other hand, compared language to a forest, vibrant and diverse. After his well-known work Gathering Pearls from the Art Sea, he wrote another language-themed titled Gathering Gems from the Forest of Language. Mr. Jin Wenming seems to agree with these metaphors, naming his new work Guarding the Forest of Language. However, the first time I encountered these four characters, I felt an unprecedented shock. The impression it left on me can be described in one word: tragic. Since the founding of New China, there have been three instances of linguistic and textual chaos. The first occurred in the early years of the PRC, when a large number of workers and peasants took to the political stage, but they had not received systematic cultural education, leading to some "unacceptable chaos" in their language use. In response, People's Daily published an influential editorial titled Strive for the Correct Use of the Mother Tongue, Fighting for Its Purity and Health. The second instance was during the ten-year Cultural Revolution, when the linguistic landscape, like the political climate, experienced intense turmoil. "Some beautiful linguistic traditions of the Chinese nation were destroyed and trampled upon": writing was unregulated, and language violence ran rampant. Only after the Cultural Revolution ended did the "wounds" of language begin to heal. Now, we are in the midst of the third linguistic chaos, a long-term and widespread one: typos abound, language use is arbitrary, and the "rules of the game" for language are facing severe challenges. Faced with the "last night's west wind withered the green trees," leaving behind a mess, Mr. Jin Wenming issued an inner cry: Guard the Forest of Language! How much courage and determination does that require! It reflects a cultural conscience and carries a historical responsibility. These four characters are a solemn promise, with each one weighing a thousand pounds. Mr. Jin is not only a brave man but also a wise one. His courage is built upon great wisdom. He once worked as a teacher and, for the next few decades, devoted himself to editing. To appreciate Homer, one must elevate oneself to Homer's level; similarly, an editor must be able to engage in dialogue with the author to master the manuscript. Mr. Jin is just such a competent editor. He treats every proofreading practice as a research process. To accurately judge manuscripts, he delved into etymology, phonology, bibliography, as well as official documents, local gazettes, inscriptions on stone and bronze, and other related knowledge, becoming a typical scholar-type editor. Even more commendable is that Mr. Jin not only has a solid academic foundation but also an rigorous editorial attitude. When he heard an expert criticize another editor for not knowing that Yuan Yi was the same as Yuan Haowen, he immediately took it as a warning, meticulously gathered materials, and compiled a List of Tang and Song Dynasty Writers' Names, Titles, and Birth Years, which he used for reference during proofreading. This list is 2.5 meters long and includes all the great names of the Tang and Song dynasties. No pain, no gain. It is precisely because of such dedication that Mr. Jin can grasp manuscripts from a high vantage point, with a special professional sensitivity to linguistic and textual errors, especially those related to historical and literary knowledge. Now, Shanghai is in the process of establishing a publishing museum. I would like to formally suggest that Mr. Jin's list be included as a collection. This list not only showcases Mr. Jin Wenming's editorial attitude but also reflects the cultural spirit of a generation of publishers. I once thought that with Mr. Jin's academic foundation, if he were to teach in a university, he would undoubtedly be an outstanding educator with a wide network of students. His genuine knowledge would make empty professors ashamed. If he were to pursue research in an institute, he would surely be a renowned scholar with a wealth of publications, leveraging his research spirit and cultural insight to achieve fruitful results. Yet, it is precisely such a well-read expert who, for decades, has tirelessly and selflessly devoted himself to editing work without complaint. Many major cultural projects, such as Cihai and Great Chinese Dictionary, have benefited from Mr. Jin's efforts. This is a blessing for Chinese publishing and a blessing for Chinese culture. With a group of skilled editors like Mr. Jin, Chinese publishing has written a new chapter of glory. Today, Mr. Jin, with great enthusiasm, focuses on the use of language and characters, becoming a sincere guardian of the Forest of Language. The articles included in this book may just be explorations of single words or phrases, but they are substantive, insightful, well-supported by detailed materials, and thoroughly analyzed. Without deep professional expertise, it is difficult to reach such a level. As the ranks of Forest of Language guardians continue to grow, the third linguistic chaos will surely end soon. Culture needs continuity, and the Forest of Language needs guardians. After reading this book, the one thing I most want to say is: I salute Mr. Jin Wenming!