Book Review: The Chinese Language It's History and Current Usage

   I saw this book while browsing at a local bookstore. When I saw it, I knew immediately that I got to have it. So the next day after work, I rushed to the mall and went straight to the bookstore and yes! The book was still there, waiting for me. 

   I'm studying Basic Chinese 2 at Confucius Institute and I have been trying to learn Chinese since I was in highschool, a friend of mine even gave me a Chinese phrasebook assuming that I'll be able to use it when I travel to China in the future. 

  Chinese language is a very challenging language to learn. As mentioned in the book Chinese language is the putonghua, it is the common and national (official) language of China. The sentence structure differs from the English language, and it is also tonal. Mandarin has four tones. Like the Philippines, China is comprised of different dialects. Mandarin is a Northern dialect. Filipino-Chinese speak Fookien (Hokkien) since a large number of Filipino-Chinese came from Fujian province in China. In Hong Kong, the dialect that is widely used is Cantonese.

  This book was written by Dr. Daniel Kane. It is not unusual for Caucasians to be good or even an expert in the Chinese language. In fact foreigners studying the Chinese language, their numbers are increasing even more. For Chinese language learners, and for those who are Chinese studies enthusiast this book is indispensable. This book is divided into six chapters. It talks about the Chinese language, the characters, history and dialect, grammar, pronunciation, and suggested books for reading.

   To those who want to study the Chinese language, and want to learn more of its history and origin, then this book is for you.

Back to School at Confucius Institute in Ateneo

   Today was my first day of class in Ateneo. I enrolled in Basic Chinese 2. My interest in studying Chinese was put on hold for a decade. I was still in my college days when I studied Chinese in my college university, Centro Escolar University and I took it as a summer course in Languages Internationale. 

   It felt good to be back in school again after a year of not stepping on any school grounds. It was just last year when I finished my Master's degree course in Miriam College, and now I'm back again in Katipunan, and this time in Ateneo. 

   My brain was in a state of shock this morning because after we recited the pinyin, b, p, m, f, etc. We proceeded to counting numbers, and it was not just 1 to 10 but up to 100. It's a good thing I still know how to count in Chinese. After that we learned some vocabulary words with regards to food and drinks. We were also made to recite a tongue twister, 'si shi si', to brush up on our knowledge with regards to the tones. Our professor also taught us the Chinese names for the 12 animals. I must admit I'm also having a hard time with the tonal system of Mandarin. From what I know Mandarin language uses four tones, I guess I should be thankful because in Cantonese its maybe 6 or 7. My classmates also have their textbook with them. I don't have a textbook because I was not aware of what we are going to use. Some of my classmates know each other already because, they have attended the Basic Chinese 1. The textbook that they've used before, they will also use in Basic Chinese 2. We had a lot of fun in our class. I even made a blooper because instead of saying, 'Wo xihuan chi dangao'. (cake), I've said 'dongao', I'm looking forward already for our class next week. After our class I bought the book, and I inquired about my school I.D., according to the staff, Ms.Airen it is not yet finished. I saw that our book was from Beijing Language Cultural University press, wow! That school is really famous for those who want to learn Chinese, I know its impossible for me to study there. Also, the tuition fee is quite pricey. So I'm just contented with the book for now.

   I was pondering while in the classroom, if I should transfer to Basic Chinese 1. I made up my mind that I'll just stay in our class because its a good challenge for me. Besides, I've already studied Chinese before. We are 12 in our class. We have 3 boys and the rest are girls. One of my guy classmate who's older than the rest of us was really funny, his answers were really funny, so we cracked up with laughter. Our laoshi's name is Ms. Maria Joanna Tecson, and her Chinese surname is Chua. She said that she also teaches in Chiang Kai Shek college in Manila. I find her nice and cute.

  Confucius Institute according to Wikipedia is:

   a non-profit public institutions aligned with the Government of the People's Republic of China that aim to promote Chinese language and culture, support local Chinese teaching internationally, and facilitate cultural exchanges. Confucius Institutes are sometimes compared to language and culture promotion organizations such as Britain's British Council, France's Alliance Française and Germany's Goethe-Institut. 

  From what I read, the institution promotes the study of Chinese culture, history, language, music (learning how to play traditional Chinese musical instrument, Guzheng), calligraphy, painting, and martial-arts (tai-chi and qigong). The courses offered in Ateneo are limited only. Their music class is available only in their Makati campus, as well as the other courses that were mentioned.

  So if you want to de-stress, learn something new or just do what you love to do. Like me, a Chinese studies enthusiast. Then I suggest you enroll in Confucius Institute in Ateneo. Let me end this post by quoting Confucius saying.  

"Never be tired of learning, or teaching others." - Confucius

My Chinese Books Collection

   Most of those who knew me and also those who are connected to me 'socially' online will know that I really like Chinese language, culture, arts, almost anything that is related to it. Anyway, this afternoon I collected all my Chinese books, (I put them somewhere around the house). I wanted to keep them all together, for safekeeping just like my Christian books, which are neatly arranged and safely tucked inside a small cabinet. Before, I said that this hobby of mine was my first love but I corrected it and said it is just my second love, because GOD should always be the first. :)

  Anyway, I took a shot of these books, which I've been collecting since I was a teenager (highschool days) and a few given to me by my friend and Filipino-Chinese friends/acquaintance. My collection ranges from history, novels, philosophy to language books. Also, included in my collection is the mainstream history and culture of the Filipino-Chinese, which is also a part of the Filipino culture.

 
  I remember my former 老師 laoshi (teacher), in mandarin language. He told me that it's a rarity to find someone like me who has a passion like this. He's also the one who encouraged me to continue doing what I love, and that someday I'll able to contribute something to the society. 

  Here's a peek into one of my passion and interest. I listed the titles below. I categorized them.

History/Culture/Travel:

1. China Lonely Planet Guidebook

2. The Chinese Mestizo in Philippine History - author: Edgar Wickberg

3. The Chinese in Philippine Life (1850-1898) - author: Edgar Wickberg

4. The Ethnic-Chinese as Filipinos (part II) - edited by Teresita Ang See
5. Chinese and Chinese-Mestizos of Manila (Family, Identity and Culture 1860s - 1930s) -
author: Richard T. Chu
6. China  author: Zheng Shifeng, et al.
7. A Short History of China author: Gordon Kerr 
8. Tsinoy (The Story of the Chinese in the Philippine Life) edited by: Teresita Ang-See
9. Living Abroad in China Including Hong Kong and Macau authors: Barbara and Stuart Strother
10. The China Business Handbook 2008 
11. China A to Z (2015 edition) authors: May-Lee Chai and Winberg Chai
12. A Geek in China (Discovering the Land of Bullet Trains, Alibaba, and Dim Sum) author: Matthew Christensen

Novels/Fiction

1. The Good Earth - author: Pearl Buck

2. Falling Leaves - author: Adeline Yen Mah

3. The Joy Luck Club - author: Amy Tan

4. The Hundred Secret Senses - author: Amy Tan

5. The Kitchen God's Wife - author: Amy Tan
6. The Story of the Stone (a.k.a. Dream of the Red Chamber vol.III) - Cao Xueqin
7. The Three Kingdoms (retold by: Christine Sun) - author: Luo Guanzhong
8. The Water Margin (retold by: Christine Sun) - author: Naian
9. Dream of the Red Chamber (retold by: Christine Sun) - author: Cao Xueqin
10. Journey to the West (retold by: Christine Sun) - author: Wu Cheng'En
11. To The Sky Kingdom - author: Tang Qi
12. Chinese Fairy Tales and Fantasies - edited and translates by Moss Roberts

Biography and Non-Fiction

1.Xi JinPing - The Governance of China
2.Wild Swans (Three Daughters of China) - Jung Chang
3. Bai Ren - Lagaglag Sa Nanyang (Adrift in the Southern Seas) translated by: Joaquin Sy

Language/Chinese Writing:

1. Say It in Chinese - Foreign Language Press Beijing

2. Learn Chinese Efficiently with Super Pinyin (phonetic) vol.I - edited by Jose Averia, English Translated by: Tinna K. Wu; Pilipino Translated by: Francisco G. Co

3. Easy Chinese Phrasebook and Dictionary - by: Wendy Tung

4. Speak Fujianwa (Fookien/Hokkien) Easy - by: Betty Lee

5. 300 by: Joaquin Sy

6. Niubi The Real Chinese You Were Never Taught in School - by: Eveline Chao; Illustrated by Chris Murphy

7. Teach Yourself Cantonese - by: Hugh Baker and Ho Pui-Kei

8. Chinese Flashcards (vol.I) - Tuttle Publishing
9. The Chinese Language: Its History and Current Usage author: Daniel Kane
10. Simple Strokes (Everyday Essentials) - by: Song Liwen
     Simple Strokes (Architecture and Culture) - by: Song  Liwen
11. Chinese for Dummies (with cd) - by: Wendy Abraham

Local Literature:

1. Tsapsuy: Mga Sanaysay, Tula, Salin atbp. - by: Joaquin Sy

2. The Best of Tulay (Voices: Mga Tinig) - edited by: Teresita Ang See, Caroline Hau and Joaquin Sy

3. Weaving A Dream (Reflections for Chinese-Filipino Catholics Today) - author Ari Dy, S.J
4. Beyond the Great Wall (A Family Journal) - author: Mario Miclat
5. Broken Mirror: Inside a Chinese Marriage - Aurora Teo Mei Ling
6. The Ties That Bind: The Saga of the Sultan of Sulu in China - Teresita Ang See
7. Ang Piping Balalaika - Ba Jin (salin ni Joaquin Sy)

Comic Books:

 1. Stories of Love - Illustrated by: Huang Qingrong; Translated by: Shen Siqin

Other books:

1. Chinese Zen - prepared, compiled and translated by Thomas Sy 

2. Love Poems from Ancient China and India - notes by Prem Jesus Jesswani, Ma.Carolina Chua and Ajit Mansukhani
3. Chinese Philosophy author: Peter H. Nancarrow
4. The Chinese Medicine Bible author: Penelope Ody
5. Women and the Art of War: Sun Tzu's Strategies for Winning Without Confrontation author: Catherine Huang and A.D. Rosenberg
6. The Art of War - Sun Tzu and The Book of Lord Shang 'Shang Yang'
7. Tao Te Ching (The Classic Translation by R.B. Blakney)  - author: Lao Tzu

(repost from my personal blog dated: January 23, 2014. Updated 07/28/19)