The East Asian Languages and Cultures professor collaborates on "Small Things Writ Large," now available.
Dr. Liu’s linguistic expertise was foundational to the development of this project. He authored 18 of the textbook’s 40 chapters and was responsible for organizing the book’s overarching structure. Leveraging his background in Chinese linguistics, Dr. Liu meticulously selected the vocabulary and grammar patterns featured in the text and prepared the comprehensive grammar notes that guide students through the complexities of the language.
Small Things Writ Large is an intermediate textbook for Chinese language learning that illustrates not just linguistic progression but also the transformation of a nation and its people, offering readers insights into the dynamic interplay between China’s language and culture in a rapidly changing world. The book’s title, which in Chinese translates literally as “seeing the grand in the small,” reflects its unique approach to teaching Chinese, one that enables students to gain broader perspectives from observing seemingly minor phenomena. Each chapter begins with a focused point of entry—such as the laundry routines of the Chinese people, social etiquettes around handshakes and hugs, or a specific Chinese phrase—and then delves into the socioeconomic or cultural reasons behind it. Small Things Writ Large treats culture not as an entity that exists separately from language but as something inherently embedded within it. In this textbook, students will gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture through its language.
The book is currently featured on the College of Arts and Letters’ faculty bookshelf, where a link to the publication is also available.