Small Things Writ Large

An engaging way for students of modern Chinese to hone their language skills while learning about contemporary China

Small Things Writ Large is an intermediate textbook for Chinese language learning that illustrates not just linguistic progression but also the transformation of a nation and its people, offering readers insights into the dynamic interplay between China’s language and culture in a rapidly changing world. The book’s title, which in Chinese translates literally as “seeing the grand in the small,” reflects its unique approach to teaching Chinese, one that enables students to gain broader perspectives from observing seemingly minor phenomena. Each chapter begins with a focused point of entry-such as the laundry routines of the Chinese people, social etiquettes around handshakes and hugs, or a specific Chinese phrase-and then delves into the socioeconomic or cultural reasons behind it. Small Things Writ Large treats culture not as an entity that exists separately from language but as something inherently embedded within it. In this textbook, students will gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture through its language.

Provides a clear introduction to modern Chinese society with language that is simple and engaging for intermediate learners
Follows international students in China from their arrival to daily activities in schools, dorms, and local spots
Covers diverse topics ranging from daily lifestyle to detailed studies of language and cultural impacts
Includes vocabulary collocations, usage explanations, grammatical structures, and synonyms, ideal for both the classroom and self-study
Writing exercises are progressive and context-specific, enhancing the learning experience
Compatible with other titles in the Princeton Language Program: Modern Chinese series, encouraging consistent learning across different levels

Author Biography

Chih-p’ing Chou is professor emeritus of East Asian studies at Princeton University. His many books include (with Jincheng Liu and Xin Zou) Eyes on China: An Intermediate-Advanced Reader of Modern Chinese (Princeton). Jincheng Liu is associate teaching professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Notre Dame. Xin Zou is associate professor of global China studies and director of the Chinese Language Program at NYU Shanghai. Henry D. Zhao is program manager of the Princeton in Beijing program at Princeton University.