Full Description
In The Other Greek, Arthur Cooper offers a captivating and unorthodox introduction to the world of the Chinese script through the medium of poetry, explaining the structure, meaning and cultural significance of each character. Written nearly half a century ago, and now published posthumously, the book argues that the role of Chinese writing was analogous to the influence of Greek civilization on Western culture. Chinese is the Greek of the Far East, 'the other Greek'! Originally a cryptanalyst, Cooper uses his professional—and distinctly non-academic—training to analyse Chinese characters and points out a series of unacknowledged associations between them. Ultimately, he aims to initiate the reader with no prior knowledge of the language into Chinese writing and poetry.
Contents
Foreword
Michael Loewe
List of Arthur Cooper's Publications
Editor's Introduction: Arthur Cooper and The Other Greek
Imre Galambos
Author's Introduction
1 Etymology as the Principle of Chinese Writing
2 Introducing Chinese Characters
3 Deerpark Hermitage
4 River Snow: Part One—The Other Greek
5 River Snow: Part Two—Word-Building
6 River Snow: Part Three—Rhythm
7 Windows
8 Stars and Seething Pots
9 The Ballad of the Ancient Cypress
10 On Releasing a Wild Goose
11 Ware, Ware, Snares For Hares
12 "The Way": Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu and Lieh Tzu
13 When I was Green
14 Snow and Plum
15 Farewell to the God of Plagues
Index
