Planning Chinese Characters: Reaction, Evolution or Revolution?

by Shouhui Zhao, Richard B. Jr. Baldauf

Overview

This book presents the most comprehensive synthesis and analysis of major developments in reforming programs in modernizing the Chinese writing system. It traces the language policy and planning related developments for Chinese characters, with particular emphasis on post-1950 period in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the more recent challenges that technology, and particularly the World Wide Web, have posed for the language.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441943064
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	11/23/2010
Series:	Language Policy , #9
Edition description:	2008
Pages:	418
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.04(d)

Table of Contents

Prologue.- Making Hanzi Accessible.- Reflections on New Perspectives.- New Challenges for a Digital Society.- Standardization as a Solution.- Influencing Outcomes.- Envisioning the Future.- Some Critical Issues.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

“In this book, Zhao and Baldauf have thoroughly examined the unfolding of the fate of the Chinese characters in the twentieth century within the conceptual framework of language planning. … this book provides a comprehensive picture of China’s script reform and standardization with a tuned focus on the last three decades, a period that missed much-deserved coverage in scholarly work until now. Thus, it is a significant contribution to both English and Chinese publications on modern China’s language planning.” (Minglang Zhou, Chinese Language and Discourse, Vol. 4 (1), 2013)

“This thorough investigation from an international perspective is not only of value to Chinese LP studies, but contributes to widening the spectrum of LP research in the world as well. … the book is carefully constructed; the theoretical investigation is well balanced with readability. The volume is unique in providing a stimulating and critical study of how technology has outstripped political decision-making about language in China … . thus stimulate scholars to pursue further studies.” (Haitao Liu, Language Problems & Language Planning, Vol. 34 (3), 2010)

From the Publisher