History of Chinese Dictionary

Author: Yong He Ming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: This book provides a comprehensive discussion on the origins and development of dictionaries both in ancient and modern times, as well as across different cultures. It is a monumental work with extensive content. The title "Historical and Critical Essays" aptly reflects its nature: it is both "history" and "critique." It not only traces the evolution of dictionaries but also explores their underlying reasons and offers its own value judgments, demonstrating the author's academic courage. Even a simple historical account is not an easy task—gathering complete information, balancing detail, and distinguishing truth from falsehood can be challenging. Add theoretical evaluation to the mix, and the difficulty increases further! This book excels in combining "history" and "critique." The former is well-supported by detailed materials and clear logic, while the latter is concise and insightful, striking just the right balance without being overwhelmed by historical data or indulging in unfounded speculation. This is one of the book's key features.
The scope of "Historical and Critical Essays" is exceptionally broad. In terms of time, it spans from ancient times to the present. Geographically, it outlines the development of dictionaries in China and around the world during various historical periods. In terms of dictionary types, it covers nearly all major dictionaries from ancient to modern times. What makes it particularly noteworthy is its dedicated chapters and sections on the evolution of dictionaries in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, as well as its in-depth exploration of the progress in theoretical research on Chinese lexicography. To my knowledge, in terms of breadth, no comparable work has yet surpassed it. This can also be considered one of the book's major features.