Chinese Primer, Volumes 1-3 (Pinyin):
Revised Edition
Ta-Tuan Ch'en, Perry Link, Yih-Jian Tai & Hai-Tao Tang

Paper (3 volumes) | 2007 | $49.50 / £29.95
616 pp. | 8 1/2 x 11

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This revised and updated edition of the Chinese Primer--an introductory textbook in wide use for more than a decade--uses proven techniques to put beginning learners of Mandarin Chinese on the path toward true mastery. The goal of the book is internalization--to lead students to adopt Chinese as one of their own languages and not to regard it merely as an object of study and translation.

Features include:

• Use of hànyu pinyin romanization
• Rigorous foundation work in pronunciation, including tones and the other special phonemes that are crucial to mastery
• Lesson texts that combine authentic, natural Chinese expression with lively everyday topics that allow students to immediately begin using Chinese themselves
• Carefully designed incremental introduction of grammar, accompanied by thorough and precise notes
• Completely revised notes that link Chinese language to Chinese culture-such as names, modes of address, and conventions of politeness
• Additional lessons for self-study during the summer following a first-year course
• A completely revised character workbook that introduces both traditional and simplified characters and that simulates the way native speakers learn characters as children: in small doses that eventually "catch up" with speaking ability

Like its earlier edition, The Chinese Primer: Revised Edition is composed of three integrated volumes: (1) the Blue Book [Lessons]: introduction; foundation work on pronunciation; lesson dialogues in romanized Chinese and English; appendices; glossary-index; (2) the Red Book [Notes and Exercises]: vocabularies; grammar notes and culture notes keyed to the lessons; exercises; and (3) the Yellow Book [Character Workbook]. (There is also a fourth volume, the Green Book [Pinyin Character Text], which is sold separately.) Texts of the lessons are in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters, and there is a Chinese introduction for teachers.

Ta-Tuan Ch'en was, until his death, professor emeritus of East Asian Studies at Princeton University. Perry Link is professor of East Asian Studies at Princeton University. Yih-Jian Tai is lecturer emeritus at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Hai-Tao Tang is lecturer emeritus at Princeton University.

Other Princeton books by Ta-tuan Ch'en:

• Chinese Primer, Volumes 1-3 (GR).
• Chinese Primer : Character Text (Pinyin).
• Chinese Primer: Character Workbook (GR).
• Chinese Primer: Lessons (GR).
• Chinese Primer: Notes and Exercises (GR).

Other Princeton books by Perry Link:

• Chinese Primer, Volumes 1-3 (GR).
• Chinese Primer : Character Text (Pinyin).
• Chinese Primer: Character Workbook (GR).
• Chinese Primer: Lessons (GR).
• Chinese Primer: Notes and Exercises (GR).
• Oh, China! Elementary Reader of Modern Chinese for Advanced Beginners.
• The Uses of Literature: Life in the Socialist Chinese Literary System.

Other Princeton books by Yih-jian Tai:

• Chinese Primer, Volumes 1-3 (GR).
• Chinese Primer : Character Text (Pinyin).
• Chinese Primer: Character Workbook (GR).
• Chinese Primer: Lessons (GR).
• Chinese Primer: Notes and Exercises (GR).

Other Princeton books by Hai-tao Tang:

• Chinese Primer, Volumes 1-3 (GR).
• Chinese Primer : Character Text (Pinyin).
• Chinese Primer: Character Workbook (GR).
• Chinese Primer: Lessons (GR).
• Chinese Primer: Notes and Exercises (GR).
• Classical Chinese: A Basic Reader in Three Volumes.
• Classical Chinese (Supplement 1): Introduction to Grammar.
• Classical Chinese (Supplement 2): Readings in Poetry and Prose.
• Classical Chinese (Supplement 3): Selections from Historical Texts.
• Classical Chinese (Supplement 4): Selections from Philosophical Texts.

Subject Area:

• Asian and Asian American Studies

Shopping Cart:

For customers in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Australia
Paper (3 volumes): $49.50 ISBN13: 978-0-691-12991-4

For customers in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and India
Paper (3 volumes): £29.95 ISBN13: 978-0-691-12991-4

Prices subject to change without notice

File created: 7/1/2008

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