Echoes of Voices, Traces of Words: Profiles of Contemporary Linguistics Masters / By William S-Y. Chang

"I jot down everything I see and hear. Flipping through these notes, I revisit the past and remember even more, evoking a sense of longing." Join these masters for a ride, a meal, or a casual chat, savoring the sentiments of daily life and glimpsing the scholars beyond the ivory tower, fragments of brilliance... The early 20th century marked an era of pioneering in Chinese linguistics, led by Messrs. Zhao Yuanren and Li Fang-kuei. In the latter half of the century, talents emerged in abundance, with Messrs. Chou Fa-kao, Chang Kun, William S-Y. Wang, and Ding Bangxin each forging their own paths. "Empty mountains, no sight of people; only the sound of voices heard." — Beginning in the 1960s, Professor William S-Y. Chang had the privilege of meeting many of these masters, engaging in academic discourse or working alongside them. On various occasions, he heard their voices and observed their conduct and presence beyond their scholarly identities. Today, he records some of his most vivid memories—interesting anecdotes and lingering impressions—allowing later generations to envision these individuals and imagine what a truly exciting era it must have been.