7. 'Memorisation', learning and cultural cognition: The notion of bèi ('auditory memorisation') in the written Chinese tradition
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Zhengdao Ye
Abstract
This study examines a cultural practice of ‘remembering’ – bèi (‘auditory memorisation’), which plays a prominent role in the learning experience of Chinese people. It first conducts a detailed semantic analysis of bèi , using natural semantic metalanguage to reveal a culture-internal view of and belief about memory formation and learning, and contrasts it with Chinese jì (‘try to remember/ write down’) and with memorise and learn by heart in English. It then explores linguistic, cognitive and cultural reasons that could explain such a practice. Finally, it addresses the question of why bèi , which exhibits some key features of knowledge transmission in oral cultures, is so prized by the Chinese people, possessors of a long written history.
Abstract
This study examines a cultural practice of ‘remembering’ – bèi (‘auditory memorisation’), which plays a prominent role in the learning experience of Chinese people. It first conducts a detailed semantic analysis of bèi , using natural semantic metalanguage to reveal a culture-internal view of and belief about memory formation and learning, and contrasts it with Chinese jì (‘try to remember/ write down’) and with memorise and learn by heart in English. It then explores linguistic, cognitive and cultural reasons that could explain such a practice. Finally, it addresses the question of why bèi , which exhibits some key features of knowledge transmission in oral cultures, is so prized by the Chinese people, possessors of a long written history.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- About the editor and contributors ix
- 1. Introduction: The language of memory 1
- 2. Is "remember" a universal human concept? "Memory" and culture 13
- 3. Language, memory, and concepts of memory: Semantic diversity and scientific psychology 41
- 4. Standing up your mind: Remembering in Dalabon 67
- 5. The conceptualisation of remembering and forgetting in Russian 97
- 6. A "lexicographic portrait" of forgetting 119
- 7. 'Memorisation', learning and cultural cognition: The notion of bèi ('auditory memorisation') in the written Chinese tradition 139
- 8. A corpus-based analysis of German (sich) erinnern 181
- 9. "Do you remember where you put the key?": The Korean model of remembering 209
- 10. The language of memory in East Cree 235
- 11. Remember, remind , and forget in Amharic 263
- Author index 279
- Language index 281
- Subject index 283
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- About the editor and contributors ix
- 1. Introduction: The language of memory 1
- 2. Is "remember" a universal human concept? "Memory" and culture 13
- 3. Language, memory, and concepts of memory: Semantic diversity and scientific psychology 41
- 4. Standing up your mind: Remembering in Dalabon 67
- 5. The conceptualisation of remembering and forgetting in Russian 97
- 6. A "lexicographic portrait" of forgetting 119
- 7. 'Memorisation', learning and cultural cognition: The notion of bèi ('auditory memorisation') in the written Chinese tradition 139
- 8. A corpus-based analysis of German (sich) erinnern 181
- 9. "Do you remember where you put the key?": The Korean model of remembering 209
- 10. The language of memory in East Cree 235
- 11. Remember, remind , and forget in Amharic 263
- Author index 279
- Language index 281
- Subject index 283
