History of Chinese Dictionary

Author: Yong He Ming, Luo Zhen Yue, Zhang Xiang 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 in its scope and depth. The title "Historical and Critical Essays" is self-explanatory: it combines both "history" and "critique." It not only traces the origins of dictionary development but also explores the reasons behind it, offering its own value judgments. This reflects the academic courage of the authors. Even in the simple presentation of historical records, it is not an easy task—gathering incomplete information, in detail, and mixing truth with fiction can often occur. And that's without adding theoretical evaluation! This book excels in the integration of "history" and "critique." The former is well-supported by substantial evidence and clear context, while the latter is concise and insightful, hitting the nail on the head. It avoids the pitfalls of mere of historical data or unfounded speculation. This is a major feature of the book. "Historical and Critical Essays" covers an extremely broad scope. 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 throughout different historical periods. In terms of dictionary types, it touches upon nearly all major dictionaries from ancient to modern times. What is particularly noteworthy is that the book dedicates chapters and sections to showcasing the evolution of dictionaries in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, as well as extensively discussing the progress of theoretical research in Chinese lexicography. To my knowledge, in terms of breadth, no comparable work has yet surpassed it. This can also be considered another major feature of the book.