At a time when there is much discussion in China as to the
desirability and possibility of the adoption of a uniform language all
over the Empire, it may seem strange to put forth a book on the
Shanghai Dialect.
The writer sympathizes fully with the aims of those who would make
Mandarin the Medium of Communication throughout China, but at the same
time feels very strongly that a great many years must pass before this
can be accomplished.
Local Dialects die hard, as witness the still existing varieties of
speech found in Great Britain. Even more perfect means of
communication binding the parts of a country closely together, and
even the introduction of a common language into the School System, are
not able of themselves to do away with the speaking of the old local
dialect. Men cling persistently to the speech of their forefathers.
When we reflect that the so-called Shanghai Dialect is in reality the
ancient language of the Wu Kingdom, and is perhaps more closely akin
to the original language of the Chinese people than Mandarin, we can
understand why it will last for many years.
Further, it has a very wide range. Although local varieties occur
every few miles, yet in the main the Shanghai Dialect is understood by
at least 20,000,000 of people.
For the missionary working is the Kiangsu Province a knowledge of the
local dialect is indispensable, and the acquisition of it would be
most useful for all those whose lot is cast to this part of China.
Foreigners living in Shanghai would find it a great advantage to speak
the native language, and in their business relations with the Chinese
would be greatly helped if they could converse is something better
than the jargon known as “Pidgin” English.
It is for the purpose of making the attainment of a speaking knowledge
of the language somewhat less difficult that the writing of this book
has been undertaken.
It has seemed to the writer that the acquisition of a knowledge of the
written characters, and of the spoken language are two distinct
things. It is possible for one to learn to speak the language without
being able to read the characters.
By the use of the clear and simple System of Romanization, adopted by
missionaries in Shanghai, it is possible to represent approximately
all the sounds employed in the dialect.
In these lessons this system is adopted, and the student is urged to
master it thoroughly. If he will do so, he can use these lessons and
learn to speak the language even without knowing the characters.
The characters of all the words and sentences employed are given, but
they are put in the book for the benefit of the Chinese teacher. It
would be unwise to trust entirely to the Romanization. The student in
using the book should have a teacher by his side, who by reading the
Chinese corresponding to the romanized sounds can give him a clearer
idea of the pronunciation.
Although in a sense the book is a short cut to learning the spoken
language, of course it is not meant to discourage the student from
mastering the written language. This is however, a distinct study,
and should be undertaken in a different way. The best method for this
will be to use a primer in vernacular containing the most familiar
characters, and then to advance from it to the reading of the New
Testament or other books in the vernacular. Vernacular books should be
read first, for the reading of them will be a great assistance in
learning the spoken language. After the first year, books in the
literary style (Wên-li) should be begun.
In using this book, the first thing to be mastered thoroughly is the
introductory matter. The student must get this first, for it is the
key to the rest of the book. He must also learn to distinguish the
tones, and the inflections of the voice which they imply. Then he will
be ready to go on with the lessons.
Although the book is divided into thirty lessons, it is not expected
that the student will be able to master a lesson a day. Some of the
lessons will require three or four days’ work.
In putting the English sentences into Chinese, the best plan would be
to write out in the Romanization what the student thinks the proper
way of translating them would be. Then these sentences may be read to
the teacher, who will correct them, and from the Chinese text will be
able to tell the right way to say them.
At present only thirty lessons are published. The writer hopes,
however, if the method proves to be useful, to extend these lessons
still further in the future.
In preparing these lessons, many books have been consulted, especially
the lessons by Dr. Yates, which contain a most useful collection of
words and sentences, and have long been the standard book for learning
the Dialect, the Grammar by Dr. Edkins which contains a mass of useful
information in regard to the structure of the language, and the
Mandarin Lessons by Dr. Mateer, a most exhaustive work on spoken
Chinese.
The writer’s thanks are due especially to Rev. J. A. Silsby for the
permission to make use of his clear statement of the Shanghai System
of Romanization, and to Prof. F. C. Cooper for many suggestions and
the trouble he has taken in reading the proofs.
The unfailing courtesy of Rev. G. F. Fitch, D.D., Messrs. Gilbert
McIntosh and C. W. Douglass has been much appreciated, in the care
they have taken in seeing the book through the Press.