Chinese signs : an introduction to China's linguistic landscape / Zheng-sheng Zhang, San Diego State University.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Zhang, Zheng-sheng, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Chinese language--Writing.

Chinese language.

Chinese language--Study and teaching--English speakers.

Mandarin dialects--Study and teaching--English speakers.

Mandarin dialects.

Signs and signboards--China.

Signs and signboards.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 227 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 2024.

Summary:

"Highlighting stylistic and rhetorical characteristics, this book explores the written form of Mandarin Chinese in a range of everyday settings, fully illustrated with pictures of the signs throughout. Authentic and up-to-date, it is ideal for students learning Chinese, as well as researchers interested in the linguistic landscape of China"-- Provided by publisher

Contents:

Cover

Half-title

Title page

Imprints page

Contents

Acknowledgments

Part I General Characteristics

1 Why Signs?

Signs as Part of the Linguistic Landscape

The Ability to Read Signs Is a Practical Necessity

Signs Make Good Learning Materials

General Learning Objectives

Intended Audience

Signs Included in This Volume

Presentation Format

Learning Outcomes

Suggested Learning Activities

Organization of the Book

2 Stylistic Traits

Classical Chinese Lexical Elements

Mixed Compound Words with both Classical and Non-classical Components

Flouting Grammatical Rules

Abbreviations

Aliases Totally Different from Official Names

3 Rhetorical Devices

Punning with Homophony

Punning with Partial Homophony

Clever Exploitation of Graphic Shape of Characters

Symmetry and Parallelism

Couplets

4 Non-Uniform Format

Traditional and Simplified Characters

Text Orientation

Part II Essential Signs

5 Airport and Arrival

Learning Outcomes

Suggested Learning Activities

6 Hotels

7 Basic Services

Places for 'Bodily Function'

Getting Hydrated

Courtesy Amenities

Getting Connected and Charged Up

Banks and Banking

Miscellaneous Services

8 Getting Your Bearings

Entry and Exit

City Names

Names of Roads and Streets

9 Getting Around

Trains

Metro/Subway

Bus, Taxi

Driving

Biking

Suggested Learning Activities

10 Eating

Wine or Dine?

Other Names for Restaurants

Some Restaurants Specializing in Regional Cuisines

Some Popular Foods

Ordering, Picking Up, and Taking Out

Names of Dishes without Cooking Verbs

Names of Dishes with Cooking Verbs

(Parts of) Menus

11 Shopping

Types of Business

Inside a Business

Payment Methods

Sales and Saving

Receipts

12 Schools and Offices

Educational Institutions at Different Levels

Offices

13 Culture and Entertainment

Museums

Historical Sites

Temples

Books

Entertainment

Public, Scenic Spaces

Miscellaneous

Media

14 Alerts!

It is Forbidden!

Please Don't!

Be Careful!

Safety

15 Health

Pandemic-related

Drugstore and Drug

A Hospital and a Clinic in Shanghai

Part III Other Signs

16 Advertising

Commercials

Formal Appeal

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 29 Feb 2024).

ISBN:

9781108983167

1108983162

9781108983259

1108983251

9781108979603

1108979602