193 research outputs found
Francis Bacon in Yan Fu\u27s Tianyan lun
Previous studies of the sources of thought in Yan Fu\u27s Tianyan lun have failed to give sufficient attention to Francis Bacon. The source of Yan Fu\u27s ideal of a strong and prosperous China is, I think, none other than Bacon. This paper discusses Bacon as he appeared in Yan Fu\u27s Tianyan lun and political essays written at the time of Tianyan lun, and Bacon\u27s influence on Yan Fu
Translating Western Concepts by Creating New Characters: A Comparison of Japanese and Chinese Attempts
Chinese characters are considered as an adaptable system, open to expansion and revision. Throughout history, the creation of new characters was one ofthe most important solutions to enlargements of the conceptual repertoire. Both scholars of "Dutch Learning" in Japan and missionaries active in nineteenth-century China used Chinese characters in their translations of western concepts. From a methodological point of view, Japanese scholars mostly coined compound words rendering the literal meanings of their terms of departure while translators in China, invigorated by the success of the new characters devised for chemical elements, believed that drafting new characterswas more in line with the characteristics of the Chinese language. However, notwithstanding the painstaking efforts with which they were created, the new characters proposed by missionaries were eventually replaced by compound terms first used in Japanese adaptations. This paper examines the different practices and attitudes of Chinese and Japanese authors toward the creation of new characters as a method of translation. Analyzing the influence of their divergent approaches on the lexical systems of their respective languages, since Chinese has a very limited number ofphonetic patterns, I conclude that it is impossible to create viable technicalterminologies only by increasing new characters
Conflict between "Form" and "Spirit": Hu Shi\u27s "Some Tentative Suggestions for a Reform of Literature"
In 1917, Hu Shi published the article, "Some Tentative Suggestions for a Reform of Literature," in which he proposed eight points for literary reform, including "Don\u27t use classical allusions" and "Pay attention to grammar." There have been many insightful discussions by scholars of literary history on this declaration of new literary reform and the points contained therein from the perspective of the formulation of literature. There are very few analyses, however, that proceed from the point of view of formation of the national language. What did Hu Shi intend by "Pay attention to grammar"? What was meant by "grammar" in 1917, and how were writers expected to "pay attention to" it? What was the relationship between "paying attention to grammar" and the creation of the new literature? Hu Shi himself did not elaborate on these issues, and later scholars have also paid little attention to these questions from a linguistic perspective. This paper situates Hu Shi\u27s suggestions in the historical context of the pre-May Fourth New Culture Movement, and analyzes the formation of a new harmonious relationship between expressed content and language form as well as the gap between Hu Shi\u27s efforts and his words and deeds
Chinese Language and the Modern: Contemplating Chinese in the East Asian Linguistic Environment
Plasmonic nano-resonator enhanced one-photon luminescence from single gold nanorods
Strong Stokes and anti-Stokes one-photon luminescence from single gold
nanorods is measured in experiments. It is found that the intensity and
polarization of the Stokes and anti-Stokes emissions are in strong correlation.
Our experimental observation discovered a coherent process in light emission
from single gold nanorods. We present a theoretical mode, based on the concept
of cavity resonance, for consistently understanding both Stokes and anti-Stokes
photoluminescence. Our theory is in good agreement of all our measurements.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, 2 table
Environmental correlates of sedentary behaviors and physical activity in Chinese preschool children:A cross-sectional study
Objective: This cross-sectional study examined environmental correlates of sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) in preschool children in the urban area of Tianjin, China. Methods: Data were collected from the Physical Activity and Health in Tianjin Chinese Children study, involving healthy children 3–6 years old and their families. In all children (n = 980), leisure-time SB (LTSB) and leisure-time PA (LTPA) were reported in min/day by parents. In a subgroup (n = 134), overall sedentary time, light PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were objectively measured using ActiGraph accelerometry (≥3 days, ≥10 h/day). Environmental correlates were collected using a questionnaire that included home and neighborhood characteristics (e.g., traffic safety, presence of physical activity facilities) and children's behaviors. Potential correlates were identified using linear regression analysis. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis showed that “having grandparents as primary caregivers” (βs and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for overall sedentary time: 29.7 (2.1–57.2); LTSB (ln): 0.19 (0.11–0.28)) and “having a television (for LTSB (ln): 0.13 (0.00–0.25)) or computer (for LTSB (ln): 0.13 (0.03–0.23)) in the child's bedroom” were both associated with higher SB. Furthermore, “having grandparents as primary caregivers” was associated with less MVPA (β (95%CI): −7.6 (−14.1 to −1.2)), and “active commuting to school by walking” correlated with more MVPA (β (95%CI): 9.8 (2.2–17.4)). The path model showed that “more neighborhood PA facilities close to home” was indirectly related to higher LTPA (ln), which was partly mediated by “outdoor play” (path coefficients (95%CI): 0.005 (0.002–0.008)) and “going to these facilities more often” (path coefficients (95%CI): 0.013 (0.008–0.018)). Traffic safety was not a correlate. Conclusion: Family structure and media exposure in the home maybe important factors in shaping preschoolers’ PA patterns. Built environmental correlates could indirectly influence preschoolers’ LTPA through parental help with engaging in active behaviors
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