{xliii} Pronunciation Guide

Chinese names and terms in the book are spelled according to the pinyin system of romanization. Although this system results in the correct pronunciation of most words, it does result in some mispronunciations. Some of the valuation of sounds differs from what English speakers are used to. The five most problematic are:

c, which has the approximate pronunciation of ts (for example, cao is pronounced TSAO, rhymes with “ow”)

q, which has the approximate pronunciation of ch (for example, qi is pronounced CHEE)

x, which has the approximate pronunciation of sh (for example, the Elementary Learning text, xiao-xue, has the approximate pronounciation of “shiao-shueh.”

z, which has the approximate pronunciation of dz (for example, the author of Practicing the Mean, Zisi, is pronounced Dz Sze

zh, which has the approximate pronunciation of j (for example, the Zhou dynasty is pronounced like the boy’s name, “Joe”)

In addition, when ch, sh, and zh are followed by an i, they sound as if an rrh sound is added (something of a growling). That is, chi is CHIRRH; shi is SHIRRH; zhi is JRRH.

When an “s” is followed by an “i” it is pronounced as “szu,” almost like a hissing sound. (See above Zisi.)

In the case of ong, it is pronounced as if there were two os (for example, Song dynasty is pronounced Soong).

ang is pronounced as if it had an “h” in it, “ahng” (for example, Wang is Wahng).

In terms of the principal Neo-Confucians frequently mentioned in this book: Zhu Xi is pronounced like JU SHEE; Cheng Yi – CHENG EE; Zhou Dunyi – JOE DUN–EE; Zhang Zai JAHNG DZAI; Shao Yong – SHAO YOONG; Cheng Hao – CHENG HOW.