Clipping Board » Other ─ There is currently no cure for this disease of the country and society...
【Takungpao News 2006-5-22】
What does "罄竹難書" mean? The Minister of Education of Taiwan explained this morning during a session at the "Legislative Yuan" that it means "so many things that even paper cannot record them all." However, professors of Chinese literature and high school Chinese teachers believe that the idiom "罄竹難書" originates from a historical context meaning "too many crimes to count." They argue that as the Minister of Education, Du Zheng-sheng should not casually reinterpret such phrases.
According to a report from the Central News Agency in Taipei on the 22nd, Chen Shui-bian mentioned on the 20th while volunteering for beach cleaning at Baishawan that the contributions of Taiwanese volunteers are "罄竹難書." Responding to related questions in the "Legislative Yuan" this morning, Du Zheng-sheng stated, "'罄' means to exhaust, '竹' refers to bamboo slips, and '罄竹難書' in modern vernacular means 'so many things that even paper cannot record them all.'"
Li Su-zhen, a teacher at Zhongshan Girls' High School, pointed out that the phrase "罄竹難書" originates from "The Annals of Lü Buwei," referring to someone whose crimes are so numerous that even all the bamboo slips in the world couldn't record them. She emphasized that "罄竹難書" is a negative descriptor and should not be casually reinterpreted.
Li Su-zhen added that as the Minister of Education, Du Zheng-sheng's words and actions are closely watched by students and teachers. With the current decline in students' language proficiency and the widespread misuse of idioms, Du's interpretation of "罄竹難書" will lead to students questioning their language teachers, making teaching difficult.
Retired professor Li Xian from National Taiwan Normal University also commented that "罄竹難書" refers to someone who has committed countless misdeeds, a negative idiom used to criticize someone, and has been used in this way for thousands of years. If Du Zheng-sheng insists on interpreting it literally, turning a negative descriptor into a positive one, it could be said that "authority makes one knowledgeable."
Li Xian stated that as the highest official in educational administration, Du Zheng-sheng should be more cautious in his words and actions. From the recent incident with the "典型苑在" funeral banner to this new interpretation of "罄竹難書," it has left scholars of Chinese literature feeling helpless.
Source: http://www. takungpao. com/ news/ 06/ 05/ 22/ TM- 569212. htm
Previous topicNext topic
Hu's Misdeeds beyond Words, Du Zhengsheng Unfit as Minister
What does "罄竹難書" mean? The Minister of Education of Taiwan explained this morning during a session at the "Legislative Yuan" that it means "so many things that even paper cannot record them all." However, professors of Chinese literature and high school Chinese teachers believe that the idiom "罄竹難書" originates from a historical context meaning "too many crimes to count." They argue that as the Minister of Education, Du Zheng-sheng should not casually reinterpret such phrases.
According to a report from the Central News Agency in Taipei on the 22nd, Chen Shui-bian mentioned on the 20th while volunteering for beach cleaning at Baishawan that the contributions of Taiwanese volunteers are "罄竹難書." Responding to related questions in the "Legislative Yuan" this morning, Du Zheng-sheng stated, "'罄' means to exhaust, '竹' refers to bamboo slips, and '罄竹難書' in modern vernacular means 'so many things that even paper cannot record them all.'"
Li Su-zhen, a teacher at Zhongshan Girls' High School, pointed out that the phrase "罄竹難書" originates from "The Annals of Lü Buwei," referring to someone whose crimes are so numerous that even all the bamboo slips in the world couldn't record them. She emphasized that "罄竹難書" is a negative descriptor and should not be casually reinterpreted.
Li Su-zhen added that as the Minister of Education, Du Zheng-sheng's words and actions are closely watched by students and teachers. With the current decline in students' language proficiency and the widespread misuse of idioms, Du's interpretation of "罄竹難書" will lead to students questioning their language teachers, making teaching difficult.
Retired professor Li Xian from National Taiwan Normal University also commented that "罄竹難書" refers to someone who has committed countless misdeeds, a negative idiom used to criticize someone, and has been used in this way for thousands of years. If Du Zheng-sheng insists on interpreting it literally, turning a negative descriptor into a positive one, it could be said that "authority makes one knowledgeable."
Li Xian stated that as the highest official in educational administration, Du Zheng-sheng should be more cautious in his words and actions. From the recent incident with the "典型苑在" funeral banner to this new interpretation of "罄竹難書," it has left scholars of Chinese literature feeling helpless.
Source: http://www. takungpao. com/ news/ 06/ 05/ 22/ TM- 569212. htm