This site is devoted to the collecting and translating of Chinese poems by some of the greatest Chinese poets, particularly those in the Tang period when Chinese poetry was at its peak. The site also includes famous poets from other periods. Users can view the poems in traditional or simplified characters, pinyin (Romanized transliteration), and literal and literary translations into English.
Type of Material:
Collection
Recommended Uses:
Selected poets/poems can be used for class discussions or homework assignments in Chinese language, literature, and translation courses.
Technical Requirements:
Internet connection and web browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Learning and appreciation of Chinese poetry and culture, and translation of literary works.
Target Student Population:
Students in Chinese poetry or literary criticism classes, comparative literature classes, civilization and culture classes, and advanced-level Chinese language classes. Students who have no knowledge of Chinese language can also learn about Chinese poetry and culture from this collection.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
At least intermediate-high/advanced level of proficiency in Chinese to read the poems in Chinese characters.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This site presents quite a comprehensive collection of Chinese poems mostly from the Tang dynasty when Chinese poetry was at its peak. It also includes some famous poems from the Song dynasty and other periods. The site is well organized with useful instructions and annotations. The main page consists of a list of poets arranged in alphabetical order by last name, and a short description of each of them. Each name is a link to a collection of the poet’s works presented in Chinese characters, Romanized transliteration (pinyin), word-for-word translation into English, and line-by-line translation into English expressions. Viewers have the option of choosing to read the poems in traditional or simplified Chinese characters. Additionally, works by different poets with similar subjects are cross-listed on a separate index page for convenience of search by subject.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This poetry collection with annotations and translations is self-explanatory and self-contained, which serves as an effective learning module, especially for intermediate and advanced learners. The FAQ page is particularly helpful in providing background information and guiding the learners in finding more information.
Concerns:
Learning effectiveness can be enhanced by including relevant pictures that illustrate the poems, and audios/videos (or links to them) showing recitations of some or all of the poems.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
This poetry site has a simple but appealing design with easy navigation. The drop-down and bookmark menus are quite useful for searching and sharing learning materials.
Concerns:
The translation pages look quite plain with black texts on white backgrounds. They could be "decorated" with colors and graphics to look more attractive. Including an additional link (back) to the poet/author page would increase user-friendliness.
Creative Commons:
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