Using Chinese : a guide to contemporary usage / Jan W. Walls and Yvonne Li Walls.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Walls, Jan.

Contributor:

Walls, Yvonne.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Chinese language--Textbooks for foreign speakers--English.

Chinese language.

Chinese language--Grammar.

Chinese language--Usage.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (300 p.)

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, N.Y. : Cambridge University Press, 2009.

Summary:

This is a guide to Chinese usage for students who have already acquired the basics of the language and wish to extend their knowledge. Unlike conventional grammars, it addresses many aspects of Chinese language usage, such as letter writing, idioms, proverbs, and riddles. It also provides new and recent words, including internet vocabulary, which enables students to understand and properly use the most up-to-date expressions alongside everyday language. Useful sections on common social interactions are included, along with an invaluable guide to the finer nuances of body language. Clear, readable, and easy to consult, this is an essential reference for learners seeking access to one of the world's most important languages.

Contents:

""Contents""; ""1 Varieties of language and register""; ""1.1 Introduction""; ""1.2 The Chinese language and its distribution""; ""1.2.1 Modern Chinese""; ""1.2.2 Regional differences in spoken Chinese � the dialects""; ""1.2.3 Regional differences � within Mandarin""; ""1.2.4 The spoken language""; ""1.2.5 The written language and writing system""; ""1.3 Overview of register in Chinese""; ""1.3.1 Illustrations of register""; ""2 Vocabulary and usage""; ""2.1 Parts of speech""; ""2.2 Word formation""; ""2.2.1 Compounding""; ""2.2.2 Prefixes""; ""2.2.3 Suffixes""; ""2.2.4 New words""

""2.3 Homonyms""""2.4 Homophones""; ""2.5 Homographs""; ""2.6 New and recent words""; ""2.7 Computer and internet-related words""; ""2.7.1 Terms for things""; ""2.7.2 Terms for actions""; ""2.7.3 Text messaging, blogging, and online chatting abbreviations""; ""2.8 Quotable quotes from the classics""; ""2.9 Idioms""; ""2.10 Four-character set phrases""; ""2.11 Proverbs and common sayings""; ""2.12 Punning allusion""; ""2.13 Metaphorical allusion""; ""2.14 Onomatopoeia""; ""2.14.1 Animal sounds""; ""2.14.2 Human, inanimate, and mechanical sounds""; ""2.14.3 Other onomatopoeic expressions""

""2.15 Mimetopoeia""""2.16 Riddles""; ""2.17 Tongue twisters""; ""2.18 Colors""; ""2.19 Opposites""; ""2.20 Figurative expressions""; ""2.21 Vulgar sayings and insulting words""; ""2.22 Issues in translation""; ""2.23 Transliteration vs. translation""; ""3 Functional language""; ""3.1 Proper names""; ""3.1.1 Surnames""; ""3.1.2 Personal names""; ""3.1.3 Continents""; ""3.1.4 Highest peaks in the world""; ""3.1.5 Major mountain ranges in China""; ""3.1.6 Oceans""; ""3.1.7 Seas""; ""3.1.8 Major rivers in the world""; ""3.1.9 Rivers in China""; ""3.1.10 Major lakes in the world""

""3.1.11 Lakes in China""""3.1.12 Countries and their capitals""; ""3.1.13 Administrative divisions in China: municipalities, autonomous regions, provinces and their capitals, and special administrative regions""; ""3.2 Festivals""; ""3.3 Holidays""; ""3.4 Family relationships""; ""3.5 Forms of address""; ""3.6 Social interaction""; ""3.6.1 Greetings""; ""3.6.2 Introductions""; ""3.6.3 Farewells""; ""3.6.4 Apologies""; ""3.6.5 Requests""; ""3.6.6 Refusals""; ""3.6.7 Invitations""; ""3.6.8 Compliments""; ""3.6.9 Self-deprecating responses""; ""3.6.10 Regrets""; ""3.6.11 Thanks""

""3.6.12 Polite expressions""""3.6.13 Emergency expressions""; ""3.7 Directions""; ""3.8 Measurements""; ""3.8.1 Length""; ""3.8.2 Area""; ""3.8.3 Land Area""; ""3.8.4 Weight""; ""3.8.5 Volume""; ""3.8.6 Capacity""; ""3.9 Temperature""; ""3.10 Calendar""; ""3.10.1 Year""; ""3.10.2 Month""; ""3.10.3 Week""; ""3.10.4 Time of day""; ""3.10.5 Duration of Time""; ""3.11 Currency""; ""3.12 Numbers""; ""3.12.1 Numerals""; ""3.12.2 Ordinals""; ""3.12.3 Decimals""; ""3.12.4 Percentages""; ""3.12.5 Fractions""; ""3.12.6 Multiples""; ""3.12.7 Approximate numbers""; ""4 Letters""

""4.1 Addressing an envelope""

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-107-19476-8

1-282-53956-6

9786612539565

0-511-71923-X

0-511-71968-X

0-511-51587-1

0-511-71877-2

0-511-51715-7

OCLC:

609832971