Guest guest Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 I wanted to just mention this but I guess it turned into a review... Classical Chinese Medical Texts by Richard Goodman I picked this book up a few weeks ago on the authors website. It's been really helpful in some of the work I'm doing now. It's written by a North American who graduated acupuncture school and sometime later did what many of us want to do and a few of you have done, namely transported themselves to China to learn more Chinese medicine and particularly the language. This book is a small educational text on reading Classical Chinese Medical language. What makes it especially nice is that it is very well designed and easy to understand. One can see how he transported notes of his studies into this book format. It's not especially ambitious and that perhaps is its greatest strength. Goodman knows what it takes to learn this material and he doesn't try to teach you everything nor is the book dumbed down. This book is really made for a person like the author which is also to say a person like me and perhaps you too... someone wanting to read a little Chinese but can get overwhelmed and confused (especially at the older texts). One small complaint is that the book is oriented towards the traditional characters although it is cross referenced to the simplified. I bought this at the authors website but I was reminded of the book today with an ad from Redwing who also carries it. I hope Redwing won't object if I quote from their description.... Doug " This is the first introduction to classical Chinese that focuses solely on medical texts. The selections that make up the chapters range from the late Han to the Qing dynasties, a period spanning over 1,500 years. The extensive vocabulary lists, detailed grammar notes, example sentences, and clear writing make this book suitable for self-taught learners and classrooms alike. Each chapter contains the text in its original as well as modern written forms, a vocabulary section, pinyin, translation of the texts, and a detailed notes section which explains grammar and difficult sentences. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2009 Report Share Posted April 8, 2009 > One small complaint is that the book is oriented towards the traditional characters although it is cross referenced to the simplified. > I bought this at the authors website but I was reminded of the book today with an ad from Redwing who also carries it. I hope Redwing won't object if I quote from their description.... Even in Mainland China, the sections that quote the classics are often in Traditional characters. So, if the goal is to learn to read classic texts. It is best to tune up your ability to read the complex characters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 good point. doug > > Even in Mainland China, the sections that quote the classics are often in Traditional characters. So, if the goal is to learn to read classic texts. It is best to tune up your ability to read the complex characters. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Agree. The traditional characters are essential to study the classics. The simplify character missed the original spirit of the work. i.e. How can you write " love " without " heart " in simplify character? The traditional character of " love " is always with " heart " in the center. Ta-Ya Lee, MSN, CRNP, MAc, LAc, MBA Johns Hopkins Community Physicians Wyman Park Internal Medicine Tel 410-338-3421 Fax 410-338-3413 Canton Crossing Integrative Medicine Tel 410-522-9940 Fax 410-522-9954 WARNING: E-mail sent over the Internet is not secure. Information sent by e-mail may not remain confidential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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