Introduces the radicals the key characters on which the language is built and reveals how they can be combined to form a wealth of more complex words and phrases.

Learning Chinese is notoriously difficult and has long put off the most linguistically savvy Westerners... until now. Breaking down the Great Wall of language, ShaoLan Hsueh has unpicked Chinese characters and created a simple system for quickly understanding the basic building blocks of the written language. Working with renowned illustrator Noma Bar, she has developed a unique set of illustrations that are engaging and delightful, and offer a glimpse into the wonder of the Chinese language and culture. The book''s main section introduces the ''radicals'' - the key characters on which the language is built - and reveals how they can be combined to form a wealth of more complex words and phrases. In fewer than 200 pages, readers of all ages will have made the first steps towards a genuine appreciation of Chinese, loving every new character they learn.

Autorentext
ShaoLan is a writer, entrepreneur, angel investor and traveller. She is also a member of the boards of the Saïd Business School of Oxford University, Asia House and the New School Network (an organization backed by the British Government promoting educational reform).

Inhalt

Introduction 1. Characters and constructions: the Calligrapher's Daughter; Why Chineasy?; How to use the Book; Writing, Spacing, Speaking 101 2. The Basics: Building Blocks, Compounds, Phrases; Advanced Sentences 3. Story - Peter and the Wolf