Intermediate Reader of Modern Chinese (CD-ROM, (Audio))

One of the most time-consuming and frustrating aspects of learning a foreign language is having to flip back and forth between material in textbooks and on audio tapes. This CD-ROM will end that frustration for intermediate students of modern Chinese. It combines the textual content of a Chinese-language textbook with sound files that present the native-speaker pronunciation ordinarily found on tapes and also includes supplementary drills and tools designed to enhance vocabulary and comprehension.

The CD, designed for use on Macintosh systems, is based on the two-book set published by Princeton University Press: "Intermediate Reader of Modern Chinese: Text" and "Intermediate Reader of Modern Chinese: Vocabulary, Sentence Patterns, and Exercises." It displays text from the original lessons (in both traditional and simplified characters) in a "Lesson Text Window" with buttons that link vocabulary terms and the text to sound. The pronunciation and definition of vocabulary terms are displayed in a separate "Definition Window." Vocabulary terms are also shown in a larger font in a "Characters Window," while English translation is displayed in the "Translation Window." Also included are a flash card module for learning vocabulary and modules for reading and listening comprehension. The CD is designed for use in second-year college courses.

The minimum software and hardware requirements are: System 7.0 or above; a 68040 or PowerPC Macintosh; 10 MB of hard disk space for the minimum installation, or 62 MB for the full installation; 2 MB of memory for 68040 Macs, or 4 MB for PowerPC Macs with virtual memory turned off, or 2 MB for PowerPC Macs with virtual memory turned on. Playing the 22 khz sounds may require a larger memory partition.

Audio and video materials are available for use with this text. For further information, contact the Chinese Linguistics Project, 231 Palmer Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. 08544. (609-258-4269).