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Product Description
This is the first book to approach the study of Classical Chinese through verse instead of prose. Script, grammar and vocabulary are taught from scratch. The work can be used as a first introduction to traditional literary Chinese by anyone with no knowledge of the language. It is also suitable as part of a course in Classical Chinese for private study with or without previous knowledge of Chinese. The exercises are progressive in that each is restricted to the vocabulary and grammar met so far. The book serves as an introduction to Chinese verse for its own sake. It will be of great interest to ethnic Chinese wishing to recover their cultural roots.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
For those who love classical Chinese poetry or indeed classical Chinese literature of all kinds but who do not intend to engage in intensive business relations or long-term tourism in the China of today, here is at last a way to learn the written language of the past without passing through at least two years of oral modern Chinese. The late Archie Barnes, professor of Chinese at Durham University, has left us a wonderful introduction to the written language for self study (though equally useful in a classroom). The vocabulary and the exercises (with key in the back) are carefully tailored to permit the reading of poetry right from the start --- what other method allows the beginning learner to read and understand a Tang dynasty poem right in the second lesson (Wang Bo's "Seeing Off Assistant Prefect Du")? and with more than 80 poems by over 40 authors still to follow, including of course Du Fu (Tu Fu), Li Bai (Li Po) and Bai Juyi (Po Chü-I)! As clear and helpful on points of grammar as on Tang culture, the book makes learning Chinese an adventure.
Are there things to improve? Of course. As the book aims principally at learners on their own, an accompanying CD with pronunciation of the vocabulary items would have been most useful. General rules for writing characters are placed at the beginning of the book but there ought to be specific guides for each of the characters introduced. And, here my own interests come into play, perhaps including poetry of other periods, would be helpful in showing the wide range and dynamism of this genre. Still, who can complain of having "only" Tang dynasty poems to read?
As is probably evident from what I have said, this method is only for those who love Chinese poetry and would be motivated by this approach. If you're planning a 7-day trip to Beijing, Shanghai and the Great Wall, pass your way. But if you want to begin to understand the people who originally lived in and built these things, there is no better point of departure than this book.
Are there things to improve? Of course. As the book aims principally at learners on their own, an accompanying CD with pronunciation of the vocabulary items would have been most useful. General rules for writing characters are placed at the beginning of the book but there ought to be specific guides for each of the characters introduced. And, here my own interests come into play, perhaps including poetry of other periods, would be helpful in showing the wide range and dynamism of this genre. Still, who can complain of having "only" Tang dynasty poems to read?
As is probably evident from what I have said, this method is only for those who love Chinese poetry and would be motivated by this approach. If you're planning a 7-day trip to Beijing, Shanghai and the Great Wall, pass your way. But if you want to begin to understand the people who originally lived in and built these things, there is no better point of departure than this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a wonderful introduction to Chinese poetry! No matter what level your Chinese is, you will learn a lot from this book (about Chinese as well as about Chinese poetry). Mostly about Tang poetry.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As an introduction to classical Chinese poetry this book is unequalled. Archie Barnes leads you into the beauty and poignancy of the poems of the famous classical poets, and at the same time, in brilliantly devised incremental stages, familiarises the reader with the language and grammar of the poems. For both students of Chinese and lovers of Chinese poetry this book is a real must-have.
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