This new edition of Reading and Writing Chinese uses the modem "simplified forms" which resulted from "script reform" after the Revolution of 1949. (The traditional forms, however,receive collateral presentation as variations of the modem simplified forms. The modem simplified forms are standard in the People's Republic of China and in Singapore; the traditional forms are standard in Taiwan and Hong Kong.)

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Reading and Writing Chinese has been the best-selling standard reference text for foreign students and teachers of Chinese for the last 25 years. Now completely revised with modern (simplified) characters, it draws on the lessons learned from the use of the book in classrooms to provide a convenient and up-to-date introduction to the Chinese writing system.Materials are organized in units of progressive difficulty and complexity, with clear definitions of the individual characters presented in a logical and systematical sequence.

For each of the basic 1,067 characters, the pronunciation and core meanings are given, along with examples of its use in common compounds and a stroke-order diagram showing how to write it correctly. Memorization tips and cross-references to look-alike characters are also provided. Charts of modern and traditional radicals, necessary to look up words in comprehensive Chinese dictionaries, are printed inside the front and back covers.

Preface

1. Student's Guide

The Writing System

Explanatory Notes

How to Write the Characters

The Pronunciation of Chinese

2. 1,067 Basic Characters and Elements of the Writing System

3. Remaining Characters of the "A" List, "B" List, and "C" List

Alphabetical Index

Stroke Index

Chart of Modern Radicals

Chart of Traditional Radicals