A Brief History of the Chinese Language V: Middle Chinese Lexicon 1: 5 (Chinese Linguistics) - Hardcover

Xiang, Xi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1032430613 ISBN 13: 9781032430614

Publisher: Routledge, 2023

Synopsis

As the fifth volume of a multi-volume set on the Chinese language, this book studies the development of monosyllables and polysyllables in Middle Chinese and the overall evolution of lexical meanings during the period.

Focusing on lexicons in Middle Chinese, the Chinese language used between the 4th and the 12th centuries CE, the book first introduces the monosyllabic neologisms of Middle Chinese, including characters and words derived from Old Chinese lexicons and those newly created. It then examines the development of polysyllabic words in Middle Chinese, ranging from single-morpheme words to tautologies and compound words. The final chapter discusses the changes and extension of word meanings in medieval Chinese.

Illustrated with abundant examples, this comprehensive groundwork on Chinese lexical history will be a must-read for scholars and students studying ancient Chinese language and linguistics and especially for beginning learners of the Middle Chinese lexicon.

About this title

About the Author

Xi Xiang is Professor at Sichuan University (China) and a distinguished linguist. His research interests are focused on Chinese language history and Chinese linguistics. His major works include A Brief History of Chinese, Dictionary of Poetry Classics, Commentary on the Translation of Poetry Classics, Dictionary of Ancient Chinese Knowledge, Concise Ancient Chinese Dictionary, and so on.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1032430613
• ISBN 13: 9781032430614
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 184