PreBabel Chapter six

 

One,

Summary of “PreBabel Chapter six”

This chapter explores the nature of language, focusing on the Chinese written system and its comparison with other languages, especially in terms of structure, memory management, and the concept of a “perfect language.”

Key Points

1. Critique of the Ideogram Myth
   See note.
2. Types and Capabilities of Languages
• Conceptual vs. Perceptual Languages:
  English is described as a perceptual language, marked by grammar and tense to express real-time events. Chinese, in contrast, is presented as a conceptual language, lacking tense and traditional grammar, allowing events to be discussed abstractly without changing word forms.
• Language Capability:
  The chapter introduces criteria for evaluating languages, such as their ability to name all members of a universe (syntaxing), describe relations (abstraction), and handle the size of the universe (infiniteness). It presents “language laws” that relate the expressive power of a language to the complexity of the universe it describes.
3. Mathematical and Biological Analogies
• The text uses mathematical concepts (like the four-color theorem and set theory) and biological analogies (DNA’s four bases) to argue that a language with a small set of basic elements (codes) can describe a vast or even infinite universe. It suggests that four codes can describe a countable universe, while seven codes are needed for an uncountable universe.
4. Memory Space Management
• The effectiveness of a language is linked to how efficiently it manages memory. The Chinese written system is analyzed for its use of roots, radicals, and modules, which allow for the construction of many words from a limited set of elements. The chapter details various memory strategies: rational memory (using rules and roots), visual memory (recognizing shapes and patterns), auditory memory (syllabic structure), and webbing memory (associative networks).
• It argues that, despite the apparent complexity, the Chinese system can be learned efficiently if its underlying structure is understood, rather than memorizing each word as an isolated “blob”.
5. The Perfect Natural Language
• The chapter defines a “perfect language” as one that:
1. Uses a finite set of tokens to construct unlimited words.
2. Allows pronunciation to be read from the written form.
3. Allows meaning to be read from the written form.
• It claims that Chinese comes closest to this ideal, as every word is built from 220 roots and 300 sound modules, and their meanings and pronunciations can, in principle, be deduced from their structure.
6. Conclusion
• The chapter concludes that the Chinese written language, when understood through its root-based system, is highly efficient and approaches the ideal of a perfect language. It criticizes traditional methods of learning Chinese (rote memorization) and advocates for a structural, etymological approach.

 

Note:

The section on the ideogram myth does indeed serve as a rebuttal to James Marshall Unger’s definition of “ideogram.” Unger argues that Chinese characters are not universally understandable and cannot convey meaning without prior knowledge, much like how symbols such as @ or # require social agreement and learning.  

The chapter agrees that Chinese characters are not “ideograms” in the sense of being instantly and intuitively understood by anyone (including, for example, hypothetical extraterrestrials). However, it goes further to argue that once a basic set of rules and a core set of word roots are learned, the Chinese written system becomes highly systematic. After mastering these foundational elements, the meanings of Chinese characters can, in principle, be read out from their structure, making the system much more universally accessible than Unger suggests.

So, the chapter’s position is:

• Chinese characters are not magical ideograms that anyone can understand without learning.
• But, after learning the basic rules and roots, the system allows for broad understanding and efficient memory management, making Chinese characters much more “universally understandable” than Unger’s critique allows.

 

Two,    

Here’s a detailed comparison of Dr. Needham’s and Gong’s views on the nature of Chinese written language, based on “PreBabel Chapter six”:

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Dr. Needham’s View

1. Chinese Characters as Pictographs

• Needham sees Chinese characters as pictographs—standalone visual symbols that directly represent objects or concepts.
• Each word is denotative and solitary, with no logical ordering or connection to other words.
• The writing system is thus a collection of isolated images, not a structured system.

2. Consequences for Science and Philosophy

• Because the characters are solitary pictographs, Needham argues that Chinese writing lacks the logical structure needed for scientific, philosophical, or theological reasoning.
• Memorizing thousands of such isolated symbols is a daunting, inefficient process.

3. Examples

• Needham provided pictographic interpretations for many characters, such as:
• 止 (stop): pictograph of a man’s foot
• 是 (yes, correct): something under the Sun
• 不 (no): fading flower
• 異 (different): man with a mask
• 行 (walking): crossroad
• 男 (man): field and plow
• 女 (woman): pictograph of a woman
  ...and many more, each explained as a visual representation of its meaning.

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Gong’s Rebuttal

1. Chinese as a Root-Based, Systematic Language

• Gong argues that Chinese is not just a set of pictographs, but a highly systematic language built from about 220 word roots.
• These roots combine according to logical rules, much like algebraic laws, to form complex words.
• The meaning of each word can be deduced from its components, making memorization much more efficient.

2. Logical Connections and Memory Management

• Gong demonstrates that Chinese writing employs rational memory techniques: by learning a small set of roots and rules, one can generate and understand thousands of words efficiently.
• The system is not a collection of isolated blobs, but a network of interconnected elements.

3. Examples of Systematic Construction

• Gong shows how complex words (e.g., 軍; 暉 、 渾 、 揮 、 煇 、 諢 、 禈 、 輝 …) are built from common roots, making their meanings and relationships clear once the roots are understood.

4. Visual and Rational Memory

• Gong argues that only 220 roots and about 300 modules are needed to master the entire system, making it accessible and logical for learners who understand the structure.

5. Critique of Traditional Learning

• Gong criticizes the “old school” approach (including Needham’s and other Western sinologists’ methods) for relying on brute-force memorization.
• Gong’s etymological approach, based on roots and rules, is presented as a superior method for both native speakers and foreigners.

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Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Aspect	Needham’s View				Gong’s View
Nature of Characters	Solitary pictographs, denotative, visually based				Systematic, built from roots, meaning deducible from structure
Logical Structure	Lacks logical connections, not suited for science/philosophy				Highly logical, root-based, supports efficient reasoning
Learning Method	Rote memorization of isolated symbols				Learn roots and rules, then generate/understand thousands of words
Memory Management	Inefficient, daunting for learners				Efficient, rational, visual and associative memory techniques
Examples	Visual interpretations (e.g., 止 = foot)				Systematic construction (e.g., complex words from common roots)
Critique of Tradition	Accepts traditional pictographic view				Denounces rote learning, advocates etymological approach

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In Summary

• Needham: Chinese writing is a collection of pictographs, making it difficult to learn and unsuitable for logical reasoning.
• Gong: Chinese writing is a logical, root-based system that enables efficient learning and deep understanding, once its structure is revealed.

 

Three,

Here’s a detailed explanation of the theory and examples of memory management in the Chinese word system, as presented in “PreBabel Chapter six”:

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Theory: Memory Management in the Chinese Word System

The chapter argues that the efficiency of a language is closely tied to how well it manages memory—specifically, how easily its users can learn, recall, and generate words. The Chinese written system, when understood through its underlying structure, excels in this area due to several key mechanisms:

1. Rational Memory

• The Chinese word system is fundamentally a root-based system: all words are constructed from a finite set of about 220 roots.
• By memorizing a small set of roots and a set of combination rules, one can generate and understand thousands of words.
• This is described as “rational memory algebra”:
  If you know N roots and m rules for combining them, you can theoretically generate N^m words. For example, with 10 roots and 2 rules, you get 100 words; with 220 roots and 10 rules, you get an astronomical number of possible words.

2. Visual Memory

• Chinese characters are two-dimensional and composed of visual modules (radicals and roots).
• Only about 220 roots and 300 modules need to be memorized to visually recognize and reconstruct the entire system of 60,000+ words.
• The system uses “confinement” (limiting the number of basic shapes to memorize) and “modulating” (distinguishing words by small visual differences) to make memorization easier.

3. Auditory Memory

• Every Chinese word is a single syllable, and many words share sound tags (phonetic components).
• Phonetic loan words and sense-determinant words help learners associate pronunciation with meaning and structure.
• Rhyming and “chiing” (a traditional method of memorizing texts through rhythm and structure) further enhance auditory recall.

4. Webbing Memory

• The Chinese word system forms a “web” of connections: modules (anchors), radicals (synapses), and meaning/sound associations.
• Words are linked by shared components, making it possible to recall or deduce unfamiliar words by their relationships to known ones.

5. Error Forgiving Mechanism

• Homophones (words with identical pronunciation but different meanings) allow for error tolerance in spoken language, making it easier for learners to communicate even if they confuse written forms.

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Examples

Rational Memory Example

• By knowing 100 words and 30 suffix rules, you can generate about 3,000 words (100 × 30).
• With 220 roots and 10 combination rules, you can theoretically generate 220^10 words, vastly exceeding the number of words in use.

Visual Memory Example

• Words like 喿; 澡 、 噪 、 操 、 臊 、 燥 、 嬠 、 橾 … are all constructed from a common visual module (root) and other components. Once you know the root, you can visually recognize and understand the family of words.
• Only 370 visual “faces” (220 roots + 150 simplified modules) need to be memorized for the entire system.

Auditory Memory Example

• Words like 珠 (pearl) and 朱 (surname) share the same sound tag, making it easier to remember their pronunciation.
• The system of phonetic loans and sense-determinant words helps reinforce both meaning and sound.

Webbing Memory Example

• The chapter provides a table showing how modules and radicals connect words across meaning, sound, and form (e.g., the module 昜 links words like 楊, 湯, 揚, 暘, etc.).

Error Forgiving Example

• Homophones allow for spoken communication even if the wrong written character is used (e.g., 九菜 = 韭菜), which is especially helpful for less literate speakers.

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Summary Table

Memory Mechanism	Description	Example(s)
Rational Memory	Small set of roots + rules = thousands of words	220 roots, 10 rules → 220^10 words
Visual Memory	2D modules, only 220 roots + 300 modules to memorize	戀, 巒, 欒, 彎, 攣, etc. share a root
Auditory Memory	One syllable per word, phonetic tags, rhyming, chiing	珠/朱, 鵬/朋, etc.
Webbing Memory	Words linked by shared modules/radicals, forming a network	Module 昜 links 楊, 湯, 揚, etc.
Error Forgiving	Homophones allow for communication despite writing errors	九菜 = 韭菜

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In summary, the Chinese word system’s memory management is highly efficient when its root-based, modular structure is understood. This allows for rapid learning, recall, and even deduction of unfamiliar words, making the system much more accessible than it appears through rote memorization alone.

 

Four,

Here’s a detailed explanation of the definition of “the perfect natural language” and why the Chinese language is argued to be a perfect language, with examples and explanations, based on “PreBabel Chapter six”:

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Definition: The Perfect Natural Language

According to the chapter, a perfect natural language must satisfy three core requirements:

1. Finite Tokens, Infinite Words:
   The language uses only a finite number of basic elements (tokens) to construct an unlimited number of words (vocabulary).
2. Pronunciation from Appearance:
   The pronunciation (phonetic value) of a word or character should be readable directly from its written form.
3. Meaning from Appearance:
   The meaning of a word or character should also be readable directly from its written form.

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Why Chinese Is Claimed to Be a Perfect Language

1. Finite Tokens, Infinite Words

• The Chinese written system is built from about 220 basic roots and 300 sound modules.
• All Chinese characters are constructed by combining these roots and modules, allowing for the creation of tens of thousands of words from a small, finite set of building blocks.
• Example:
  Just as DNA uses four bases (A, G, T, C) to encode all life, Chinese uses its roots to encode its entire vocabulary.

2. Pronunciation from Appearance

• Each Chinese character contains phonetic components (sound modules) that indicate how it should be pronounced.
• Once the system of sound modules is learned, the pronunciation of most characters can be deduced from their structure.
• Example:
  The character 珠 (zhū, “pearl”) and 朱 (zhū, a surname) share the same phonetic component, so their pronunciation is similar. This pattern is systematic across the language.

3. Meaning from Appearance

• The meaning of a Chinese character can be read out from its visual structure, as each is composed of meaningful roots or radicals.
• Example:
• 盲 (blind) = 亡 (lost/dead) + 目 (eye): “lost eye” = blind.
• 看 (to look) = 手 (hand) + 目 (eye): “hand over eye” = to look (with intention).
• 見 (to see) = 目 (eye) + 儿 (child): “child sees without intention.”
• These examples show that the meaning is encoded in the composition of the character, not arbitrary.

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Comparison with English

• English gets high marks for having a finite alphabet and for phonetic spelling (to a degree), but most English words’ meanings cannot be deduced from their spelling alone (e.g., “good,” “book,” “love”).
• In contrast, Chinese, when understood through its root system, allows both pronunciation and meaning to be read from the character’s structure.

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Summary Table

Criterion	Chinese Language (per PreBabel)					Example(s)
Finite tokens, infinite words	220 roots + 300 sound modules					All characters built from these
Pronunciation from appearance	Phonetic modules indicate pronunciation					珠/朱 share the same sound module
Meaning from appearance	Roots/radicals encode meaning					盲 = 亡 + 目 (“lost eye” = blind)

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Conclusion

The chapter argues that the Chinese written language, when approached through its systematic root and module structure, fulfills all three criteria for a perfect natural language. This makes it not only efficient for memory and learning but also uniquely transparent in how it encodes both sound and meaning.