xin yi zhe
[ɕin i tʂɯ̯ʌ]
Documents on Chinese phonetics + phonetic writing systems
RECENT
Current work focused on Halfhand, a semi-phonetic cursive shorthand writing system for notetaking
Halfhand is a broad phonetic writing system that builds on the work of German stenographer Karl Scheithauer and the famous British phonetician Henry Sweet. A preliminary outline and example of the system in use is available to download below.
Working with the Pitman Shorthand Collection at the University of Bath
'Logograms and Grammalogues', is a small project which takes a closer look at Victorian intrigue surrounding Chinese logographic writing. A report on the project is now on the University of Bath Cabinet of Curiosities page and can be viewed here.
DOCUMENTS
Type
Manual
Draft
Translation
Translation
Title
A Manual of Halfhand: a concise semi-phonetic writing system for notetaking
Preliminary Outline of Halfhand
盧戇章《中國第一快切音新字》原序
Lu Zhuangzhang, Preface to 'China’s Fastest New Phonetic Writing'
蔡錫勇《傳音快字》
Cai Xiyong, Chinese Phonetic Shorthand
Download
ABOUT ME
Tom Sima Staniforth
Lecturer in Chinese language and translation at the University of Bath
I specialise in suprasegmental features of Chinese speech, particularly non-native tone contour perception in Mandarin. I hold a particular interest in phonetic writing and written representations of speech, particularly concerning how this influences speech perception.
I am also fascinated by historical phonetic scripts, both English and Chinese. My current projects include Halfhand, a novel semi-phonetic script, and the first complete translation of 傳音快字, the first phonetic shorthand manual to be published in China (1896).