WLTR Manchu

Archived here are the audio files that accompany the following volume:

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Li, G. R. (2010). Manchu: A textbook for reading documents (2nd ed.). Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i, National Foreign Language Resource Center.

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This book offers students a tool to gain a basic grounding in the Manchu language. The reading selections provided in this volume represent various types of documents, ranging from examples of the very earliest Manchu writing (17th century) to samples of contemporary Sibe (Xibo), a language that maybe considered a modern version of Manchu. Since Manchu courses are only rarely taught at universities anywhere, this second edition includes audio recordings to assist students with the pronunciation of the texts. Click here for ordering information.

Manchu: A vanishing rainbow
by Chang Ming

Learning to read these unfamiliar symbols
My soul is lighter than a flower awaking to spring,
Lighter than a seagull winging to ocean,
Lighter than a rainbow arching to sky.
I find my long lost rainbow.

Trying to write these unfamiliar symbols
My heart lies heavier than mountains on earth,
Heavier than a volcano on lava,
Heavier than a tree on roots
I stand by my long lost root.

Dedicated to Dr. Gertraude Roth Li
Honolulu, 2004