Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide / Edition 2

by Claudia Ross, Jing-heng Sheng Ma

Overview

Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar provides an innovative reference guide to Mandarin Chinese, combining traditional and function-based grammar in a single volume.

The Grammar is divided into two parts. Part A covers traditional grammatical categories such as phrase order, nouns, verbs and specifiers. Part B is carefully organized around language functions and notions such as:

• Communication strategies
• Making comparisons
• Giving and seeking information
• Expressing apologies, regrets and sympathies

The two parts of the Grammar are closely linked by extensive cross-references, providing a grammatical and functional perspective on many patterns. All grammar points and functions are richly illustrated with examples, with a strong focus on contemporary usage.

Main features of the grammar include:

• Examples given in simplified characters, traditional characters and romanization (pinyin)
• Clear explanations and accessible descriptions
• Particular attention to areas of particular difficulty for learners of Mandarin Chinese

Implementing feedback from users of the first edition of the Grammar, this second edition has been revised throughout to offer expanded explanations, examples, cross-referencing, and indexing and brand new chapters on aspect, resultative verbs, directional verbs and "ba" sentences.

This is the ideal reference grammar for learners of Mandarin Chinese at all levels, from elementary to advanced. No prior knowledge of grammatical terminology is assumed and a glossary of grammatical terms is provided. This Grammar is accompanied by the Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar Workbook (978-0-415-83488-9) which features related exercises and activities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415827140
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/26/2014
Series:	Modern Grammars
Edition description:	Bilingual
Pages:	430
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 9.69(h) x (d)

About the Author

Claudia Ross, Professor Emeritus of Chinese, College of the Holy Cross.

Jing-Heng Sheng Ma, Professor Emeritus of Chinese, Wellesley College.

Pei-Chia Chen, Senior Lecturer and Academic Coordinator of the Chinese program, University of California San Diego.

Baozhang He, Associate Professor Emeritus of Chinese, College of the Holy Cross.

Meng Yeh, Teaching Professor of Chinese, Rice University.

Table of Contents

Part A Structures 1 Overview of Pronunciation and Pinyin Romanization 2 Syllable, Meaning, and Word 3 The Chinese Writing System: An Overview 4 Phrase order in the Mandarin sentence 5 Nouns 6 Numbers 7 Specifiers and Demonstratives 8 Classifiers 9 Noun Phrases 10 Adjectival Verbs 11 Stative Verbs 12 Modal Verbs 13 Action Verbs 14 Prepositions and Prepositional Phrases 15 Adverbs 16 Conjunctions 17 Aspect 118 Resulative verbs 19 Directional verbs 20 ? ba sentences 21 The passive

Part B Situations and Functions 22 Names, Kinship Terms, Titles, and Terms of Address 23 Introductions 24 Greetings and Goodbyes 25 Basic Strategies for Communication 26 Telecommunications and e-communications: Telephones, the internet, beepers, and faxes 27 Negating Information 28 Asking Questions and Replying to Questions 29 Expressing Identification, Possession, and Existence 30 Describing People, Places, and Things 31 Describing How Actions are Performed 32 Indicating Result, Conclusion, Potential, and Extent 33 Making Comparisons 34 Talking About the Present 35 Talking About Habitual Actions 36 Talking About the Future 37 Indicating Completion and Talking About the Past 38 Talking About Change, New Situations, and Changing Situations 39 Talking About Duration and Frequency 40 Expressing Additional Information 41 Expressing Contrast 42 Expressing Sequence 43 Expressing Simultaneous Situations 44 Expressing Cause and Effect or Reason and Result 45 Expressing Conditions 46. Expressing both, all, every, any, none, not any, and no matter how 47 Expressing Location and Distance 48 Talking about Movement, Directions, and Means of Transportation 49 Talking about Clock Time and Calendar Time 50 Expressing Obligation and Prohibitions 51 Expressing Commands and Permission 52 Expressing Ability and Possibility 53 Expressing Desires, Needs, Preferences, and Willingness 54 Expressing Knowledge, Advice, and Opinions 55 Expressing Fear or Worry 56 Expressing Speaker Attitudes and Perspectives 57 Topic, Focus, and Emphasis 58 Guest and Host 59 Giving and Responding to Compliments 60 Expressing Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction 61 Expressing Gratitude and Responding to Expressions of Gratitude 62 Invitations, Requests, and Refusals 63 Expressing Apologies, Regrets, and Sympathy 64 Expressing Congratulations and Good Wishes

Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

'...exceptionally useful, accessible and easy-to-use grammar.' - Forum for Modern Language Studies

Editorial Reviews

The authors have rich knowledge of the subject area and have magically transformed a complicated grammar system into reader-friendly learning material.

- Wen-Hua Du, Pennsylvania State University

A very useful introduction to Mandarin grammar. Readers not only learn how to express their ideas with grammatical structures, but also when to use them appropriately. The authors also pinpoint the differences between Mandarin and English, and give clear and concise explanations. A good reference book for teachers and students alike.

- Hsiu-Hsien, Yale University

After having searched for more than 2 years for a usable book, I finally realized that Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar is in my opinion the only usable one for beginners. This book eventually allowed me to experience the feeling of unlimited immaterial joy when stepping into the world of the Chinese language (and therefore China).

- Rob Beck, Language Learner

From the Publisher