Introducing Chinese Linguistics

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of Chinese linguistics, including the core components of phonetics and phonology, morphology, syntax, writing system, and social cultural aspects of the language. It also discusses key features of Chinese language acquisition in each of these areas, highlighting common difficulties and obstacles adult learners encounter as revealed in language acquisition research. The integration of basic linguistic knowledge with language acquisition findings provides valuable resources for both current and aspiring Chinese language teachers, and serious learners of Chinese as a second language. Exercise questions included in each chapter serve to reinforce the concepts of Chinese linguistics. The book is designed to not only enhance Chinese learners’ linguistic awareness but also provide language teachers with pedagogical preparation and assistance. While this book can be used as a textbook for an introductory Chinese linguistics course, it is also beneficial to the broader range of readers who are interested in Chinese linguistics.