Dictionary of the Taiwan Language
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Summary
Traditional Chinese thought and culture have a long history and are highly original, inventive, and literary. Early forms of thought have distinctive characteristics, and subjects such as religious theology, classical Chinese medical texts, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and the Hundred Schools of Thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, and customs and local gazetteers are profound and extensive. This series, "Essence of the Chinese Classics: Original Texts," preserves the appearance of the original books and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers can cultivate their character and subtly appreciate the Chinese classics.
Editor's review
Taiwan Yudian is an important work in which Lian Heng compiled Taiwanese dialect vocabulary. In dictionary form, it collects words and expressions current in Taiwan and includes pronunciations, definitions, and usage examples. It is a foundational source for the study of Taiwan's language and folk culture. Lian Heng long devoted attention to Taiwanese local documents, and this book reflects his conscious effort to preserve local language and record everyday life. Issued in the "Essence of the Chinese Classics: Original Texts" series, it retains the original format and appearance, allowing readers to see how early Taiwanese words and expressions were actually used and to sense the close ties between language and customs, place names, and local products. For researchers in dialectology, folklore, and Taiwanese local history, this book is an indispensable reference. For general readers interested in Southern Min and Taiwanese culture, the many entries close to daily life can also provide an engaging reading experience. It should be noted that the book is arranged in dictionary form, with dense entries, and is rather difficult to read straight through; it is better suited to reference use or thematic study, and its value can be fully appreciated with some background in linguistics and folklore.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Linguistics readers studying Taiwanese dialects and Southern Min
- Readers interested in Taiwanese folklore and local culture
- Lexicography researchers needing original Taiwanese vocabulary materials
- Readers interested in systematically reading Lian Heng's works
Not a good fit for
- Beginners who want to learn Southern Min systematically with modern textbooks
- General readers who prefer continuous narrative and are unused to dictionary format
Reading tips
- Use the book as a reference work, studying entries by theme or word class
- Combine it with Lian Heng's other Taiwanese local documents to understand the social context behind the vocabulary
- Note pronunciations and usage examples while reading and compare them with current Taiwanese Southern Min usage
- Read the preface and notes on format first, then move on to specific entries to lower the threshold of reading
Contents
- 版权信息
- 台湾语典
- 自序一
- 自序二
- 卷一
- 卷二
- 卷三
- 卷四
FAQ
Can Taiwan Yudian be used to learn Southern Min?
It is better suited as a reference dictionary of dialect vocabulary than as an introductory textbook. The book collects words and expressions with definitions and usage examples, but it lacks systematic pronunciation teaching and practice design. Readers who want to learn Southern Min can use it as a lookup tool, and it works better alongside dedicated textbooks.
Why did Lian Heng compile this dictionary?
Lian Heng long worked on organizing Taiwanese local documents, and compiling this dictionary reflects his conscious effort to preserve local language and folk culture. By collecting words and expressions current in Taiwan, he left later generations important material for observing the linguistic life and social customs of the time, and he also continued the compiling approach of traditional dialect dictionaries.
How should general readers approach this book?
It is advisable not to read it straight through from beginning to end, but to dip into entries according to interest, for example starting with themes such as place names, local products, or everyday expressions. With the preface and notes on format, readers can more quickly understand the organizing logic and more easily appreciate the connection between vocabulary and Taiwanese local life.
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About the author
Lian Heng
Author · Chinese · 1878–1936
Lian Heng (1878–1936), courtesy name Yatang and style name Jianhua, was a modern Chinese historian and poet. His ancestral home was Longxi in Zhangzhou, Fujian, and he was born in Tainan, Taiwan. Over ten years he completed The General History of Taiwan, the first comprehensive history of Taiwan, for which he has been called the Grand Historian of Taiwan. His other works include A Dictionary of the Taiwanese Language and Taiwan Poetry Collections, spanning history, poetry, and language studies. His writing is noted for solid use of historical sources and rigorous structure, and his work was pioneering in the writing and preservation of Taiwan's history. Twenty-three of his works are held in this collection, mostly different editions and volumes of The General History of Taiwan, along with history, classical poetry, and literary appreciation, showing how his writings have been read and transmitted.
