Chinese Signs: An Introduction to China's Linguistic Landscape

This book is a comprehensive guide to written Mandarin Chinese, featuring over 500 pictorial examples and detailed annotations to assist readers of all proficiency levels. It explores the language in real-world contexts and prepares students for navigating Chinese in its social and cultural aspects.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This comprehensive and visually rich book delves into the written form of Mandarin Chinese across various everyday contexts. By examining examples from Chinese public writing across diverse textual genres, such as signs, banners, and advertisements, it equips students with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of real-world Chinese, encompassing both its linguistic and stylistic nuances as well as its social and cultural dimensions. With over 500 illustrative examples drawn from the linguistic landscape, the book offers a multifaceted exploration of signs from various perspectives. It highlights the enduring influence of classical Chinese elements in the modern language, showcases the most commonly employed rhetorical patterns in Chinese, and sheds light on the interactions between Standard Mandarin and dialects, as well as Chinese and other languages. Extensive annotations in both Chinese and English cater to readers of varying proficiency levels, ensuring a thorough understanding of the signs presented. By delving into the intricacies of Mandarin Chinese's written form, this book serves as a valuable resource for students, language enthusiasts, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of this fascinating language and its rich cultural heritage.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 167 x 245 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108969697