Culture

The Moon Is Always Beautiful and Other Essays

Laurel — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:12:11 +0000

The Moon Is Always Beautiful invites students to appreciate the rich textures of traditional and contemporary Chinese culture while sharpening their reading skills. The third in the five-volume Cheng & Tsui Readings in Chinese Culture series, this collection of ten original essays is ideal for intermediate students in the second semester of second-year Chinese, or at the “Intermediate High” level, as designated by ACTFL proficiency guidelines.

Used as a supplement to any intermediate Mandarin Chinese textbook, or as reading material for independent learners, The Moon Is Always Beautiful will refine students’ grasp of Chinese vocabulary and grammar while also strengthening their understanding of Chinese arts, culture, and society.

Given the cultural focus of the AP* and other standardized Chinese exams, teachers will welcome this resource that seamlessly combines language learning with an introduction to both classical and contemporary Chinese culture.

Features:

Each essay of approximately 500 characters is presented in both simplified and traditional characters on facing pages.

Essays cover a range of cultural topics, from the diverse traditions of Chinese architecture to the social impact of The True Story of Ah Q to a survey of regional dialects in China.

A vocabulary list, related words and expressions, and an optional exercise section accompany each lesson.

For students who prefer to read pinyin along with Chinese characters, an appendix of each essay in pinyin is included.

Answer keys at the back of the book help learners gauge their own progress.

Readings in Chinese Culture Series

The Moon Is Always Beautiful is the third in a five-volume series of supplemental reading material that corresponds to five different levels of Chinese proficiency, from beginning through advanced.

*AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.

Burma

chengtsu — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 20:07:03 +0000

The academic study of Burma, especially the study of its cultural history, has been unfortunately neglected over the last 50 years -- but the conference papers published here together form a major contribution towards the redress of that neglect. This volume presents papers from a two-day conference organized in London in 2000 by The British Museum and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Current research is included on the topics of prehistory, architecture (monastic and secular), the cult of the nats, lacquer, illustrated manuscripts, mural paintings, sculpture, textiles, and the Ferrars Archive of Burma photographs at the Royal Geographical Society.

China the Land

Ginevra — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:52:49 +0000

This revised edition takes a new look at this beautiful and vast country. New topics include: the benefits and problems of a booming economy, an update on the Three Gorges Dam, political reforms over the past 10 years, and the status of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Tibet.

China the People

Ginevra — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:50:31 +0000

China's new prosperity is at the heart of this newly revised edition. New information takes a close up look at the influx of people into the cities and away from the countryside, how better economic situations are changing social rules, and an update on the one-child family law.

China the Culture

Ginevra — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:48:05 +0000

China is opening itself up to the rest of the world like never before. This colorful new edition features ancient traditions of this 4,000 year-old civilization alongside more modern pastimes.

Chinese New Year

Ginevra — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:19:28 +0000

Kung hay fat choy! means “may you prosper” in Chinese and is a familiar greeting during Chinese New Year, the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar. In this book children will learn about the history of the event, importance of shared meals with family, dragon dancing, fireworks, and other traditions. Even reluctant readers will be drawn in by the full-color photographs and will love this vibrant and easy-to-understand introduction to this famous holiday.

Buddhism

Ginevra — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:27:46 +0000

This book gives a brief introduction to the Chinese Buddhist beliefs, history, sects, art, architecture, pagodas, monasteries, and sutras translated into Chinese from the original Sanskrit and other Indian languages. It also describes the four sacred Buddhist mountains and five major grottoes travelers may wish to see, the organization of the Buddhist monasteries and life in the cloisters, Buddhist festivals and other major Buddhist activities, as well as relations between Chinese and foreign Buddhist societies and organizations. Written in a lively and conversational style, with accurate historical references and fascinating legends and stories, this book is not only suitable for tourists at home and abroad, but also worthwhile reading for anyone interested in the past and present of Buddhism in China.