A Billion Voices: China's Search for a Common Language: Penguin Specials

China's Search for a Common Language

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Linguistics, History
Cover of the book A Billion Voices: China's Search for a Common Language: Penguin Specials by David Moser, Penguin Random House Australia
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: David Moser ISBN: 9781760143305
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia Publication: May 23, 2016
Imprint: Penguin eBooks Language: English
Author: David Moser
ISBN: 9781760143305
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Publication: May 23, 2016
Imprint: Penguin eBooks
Language: English

Mandarin, Guoyu or Putonghua? 'Chinese' is a language known by many names, and China is a country home to many languages. Since the turn of the twentieth century linguists and politicians have been on a mission to create a common language for China. From the radical intellectuals of the May Fourth Movement, to leaders such as Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong, all fought linguistic wars to push the boundaries of language reform. Now, Internet users take the Chinese language in new and unpredictable directions.

David Moser tells the remarkable story of China's language unification agenda and its controversial relationship with modern politics, challenging our conceptions of what it means to speak and be Chinese.

'If you want to know what the language situation of China is on the ground and in the trenches, and you only have time to read one book, this is it. A veritable tour de force, in just a little over a hundred pages, David Moser has filled this brilliant volume with linguistic, political, historical, and cultural data that are both reliable and enlightening. Written with captivating wit and exacting expertise, A Billion Voices is a masterpiece of clear thinking and incisive exposition.' Victor H. Mair, American sinologist, professor of Chinese language and literature at the University of Pennsylvania and author of The Columbia History of Chinese Literature

'David Moser explains the complex aspects of Putonghua against the backdrop of history, delivering the information with authority and simplicity in a style accessible both to speakers of Chinese and those who are simply fascinated by the language. All of the questions that people have asked me about Chinese over the years, and more, are answered in this book. The history of Putonghua and the vital importance of creating a common language is a story David Moser brings to life in an enjoyable way.' Laszlo Montgomery, The China History Podcast

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Mandarin, Guoyu or Putonghua? 'Chinese' is a language known by many names, and China is a country home to many languages. Since the turn of the twentieth century linguists and politicians have been on a mission to create a common language for China. From the radical intellectuals of the May Fourth Movement, to leaders such as Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong, all fought linguistic wars to push the boundaries of language reform. Now, Internet users take the Chinese language in new and unpredictable directions.

David Moser tells the remarkable story of China's language unification agenda and its controversial relationship with modern politics, challenging our conceptions of what it means to speak and be Chinese.

'If you want to know what the language situation of China is on the ground and in the trenches, and you only have time to read one book, this is it. A veritable tour de force, in just a little over a hundred pages, David Moser has filled this brilliant volume with linguistic, political, historical, and cultural data that are both reliable and enlightening. Written with captivating wit and exacting expertise, A Billion Voices is a masterpiece of clear thinking and incisive exposition.' Victor H. Mair, American sinologist, professor of Chinese language and literature at the University of Pennsylvania and author of The Columbia History of Chinese Literature

'David Moser explains the complex aspects of Putonghua against the backdrop of history, delivering the information with authority and simplicity in a style accessible both to speakers of Chinese and those who are simply fascinated by the language. All of the questions that people have asked me about Chinese over the years, and more, are answered in this book. The history of Putonghua and the vital importance of creating a common language is a story David Moser brings to life in an enjoyable way.' Laszlo Montgomery, The China History Podcast

More books from Penguin Random House Australia

Cover of the book The Festival by the Sea by David Moser
Cover of the book A Man's Guide to Raising Kids by David Moser
Cover of the book A Bush Christmas by David Moser
Cover of the book Undine by David Moser
Cover of the book Alice-Miranda in Japan by David Moser
Cover of the book Dying for a Cure by David Moser
Cover of the book Silver Shoes 1: And All That Jazz by David Moser
Cover of the book A Dirty Little War by David Moser
Cover of the book Yassmin's Story by David Moser
Cover of the book Clementine Rose and the Best News Yet 15 by David Moser
Cover of the book Changing the Game by David Moser
Cover of the book Spellbound: Destiny Romance by David Moser
Cover of the book Meet... Sidney Nolan by David Moser
Cover of the book Sixty Summers by David Moser
Cover of the book Secret Superhero: The Lost World Circus Book 3 by David Moser
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy