Orthographic and Psycholinguistic Considerations in Developing Literacy in Chinese

Abstract

(from the chapter) [asks] if orthographies evolve from picture-writing through semasiography to logographic and then alphabetic writing and if the last-named system could be assumed to be more advanced in the hierarchy of linguistic derivation / show that Chinese as a morphemic script could be just as productive linguistically as an alphabetic orthography / this argument has a bearing on the acquisition and development of reading conceived as part of the literacy continuum / show the commonality in the component process of lexical access of Chinese and English / examine some of the linguistic variables that might impinge on the development of literacy in Chinese in light of our advances in computer technology / the term Chinese refers mainly to modern standard Chinese . . . or the vernacular written style (Baihuawen), which is contrasted with the highly formalized classical style or Wenyan (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)