The Chinese script, with its many complex strokes, can often prove to be a formidable challenge especially for the young learner of Chinese and even adult learners of the language. In this new volume, over 100 essential Chinese characters that every beginning learner should know have been carefully selected and compiled. Humorous illustrations, clear explanations and plenty of examples all help to demystify the Chinese language by deconstructing the Chinese characters and showing how they evolved from ancient pictographs and ideographs to their modern form. Each character is given a stroke-by-stroke breakdown of how it is to be written. Peng s Fun with Chinese Characters for Children is based on the highly popular Fun With Chinese Characters series."

This book is based on an eleven-year observation of two children who were simultaneously exposed to three languages from birth. It tells the story of two parents from different cultural, linguistic, and ethnic-racial backgrounds who joined to raise their two children with their heritage languages outside their native countries. It also tells the children’s story and the way they negotiated three cultures and languages and developed a trilingual identity. It sheds light on how parental support contributed to the children’s simultaneous acquisition of three languages in an environment where the main input of the two heritage languages came respectively from the father and from the mother. It addresses the challenges and the unique language developmental characteristics of the two children during their trilingual acquisition process.

If you have always dreamed of living in China and are ready to take that step, Moon Living Abroad in China delivers what you need to know about your move—in a smart and organized manner. Wife-and-husband author team Barbara and Stuart Strother have extensive experience working, traveling, and living in China. With their expertise, you'll receive the information you need, including essential information on setting up your daily life, applying for visas, tackling finances, and looking for employment. You'll get practical advice on education, health care, and how to rent or buy a home that fits your needs. The book also includes color and black and white photos, illustrations, and maps to help you find your bearings. With insight into navigating the language and culture of China, Moon Living Abroad in China is a helpful resource for tourists, business people, adventurers, students, teachers, professionals, families, couples, and retirees looking to relocate.

An innovative text which adopts the tools of cultural studies to provide a fresh approach to the study of Chinese language, culture and society. The book tackles areas such as grammar, language, gender, popular culture, film and the Chinese diaspora and employs the concepts of social semiotics to extend the ideas of language and reading. Covering a range of cultural texts, it will help to break down the boundaries around the ideas and identities of East and West and provide a more relevant analysis of the Chinese and China.

Is liberal democracy appropriate for East Asia? In this provocative book, Daniel Bell argues for morally legitimate alternatives to Western-style liberal democracy in the region. Beyond Liberal Democracy, which continues the author's influential earlier work, is divided into three parts that correspond to the three main hallmarks of liberal democracy--human rights, democracy, and capitalism. These features have been modified substantially during their transmission to East Asian societies that have been shaped by nonliberal practices and values. Bell points to the dangers of implementing Western-style models and proposes alternative justifications and practices that may be more appropriate for East Asian societies. If human rights, democracy, and capitalism are to take root and produce beneficial outcomes in East Asia, Bell argues, they must be adjusted to contemporary East Asian political and economic realities and to the values of nonliberal East Asian political traditions such as Confucianism and Legalism. Local knowledge is therefore essential for realistic and morally informed contributions to debates on political reform in the region, as well as for mutual learning and enrichment of political theories. Beyond Liberal Democracy is indispensable reading for students and scholars of political theory, Asian studies, and human rights, as well as anyone concerned about China's political and economic future and how Western governments and organizations should engage with China.

Singaporean cartoonist Tan Huay Peng wrote about the origins, legends and stories behind the major Chinese festivals celebrated in South-east Asia, but passed away before completing his work. 8 of 9 festivals are included.

A full-length workbook intended for linguistics students. Can be used with the Wadsworth text(s) or on its own.

More than 30 ready-to-tell drawing tales and 5 delightful handkerchief ("hanky panky") stories, along with step-by-step directions for the ingenious illustrations that accompany them, and tips for engaging your audience in further learning.