What kind of book is “Tianjin Geography and Commerce Miscellaneous Characters Book”?
《天津地理买卖杂字》是怎样的一本书
What kind of book is “Tianjin Geography and Commerce Miscellaneous Characters Book”?
Micellaneous characters books (杂字zá zì) originated early in ancient times as a primer for literacy education. It typically compiled various commonly used characters into rhymed verses for beginners to memorize. While not part of the mainstream literary canon, zá zì was popular and easy to understand, playing a role in disseminating culture. Zá zì evolved from works such as the "Three Character Classic," the "Hundred Family Surnames," and the "Thousand Character Classic."
The "Tianjin Geography and Commerce Miscellaneous Characters Book" was created in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, first published in 1920. The original author was likely Liu Junzhe, known as Mu Yao, who hailed from Cangzhou, Tiannan, Tianjin, as suggested by versus at the end of the initial publication: "Liu Junzhe, courtesy name Tangchen, a man from Cangzhou, Tiannan, Tianjin. After reading the classics, he was inspired to create zá zì for a reason. He brought new insights into the geography of Tianjin every day." The versions circulating in the market today were revised by Zhang Jingshan or Sun Manchang. Text in the book indicates their involvement in the revisions. Zá zì has likely undergone continuous revisions and additions by later generations.
"The Tianjin Geography and Commerce Zá Zì" is written entirely in the Tianjin dialect, with concise and clear language. It vividly describes various aspects of society and everyday knowledge through the introduction of place names, business establishments, travel guides, commercial activities, famous personalities, leisure and entertainment, and local specialty products. The rhythms adopts the "three-three-seven" pattern of Tianjin folk songs, resembling fast-paced recitation, making it easy to memorize and recite. The language is colloquial and easy to understand, using straightforward and accessible expressions. The lively rhythm, consistent rhyme, and the robust and powerful characteristics of the Tianjin dialect are all reflected in this work.
'Tianjin Geography and Commerce Zá Zì' is of great value in studying Tianjin's folk customs, commercial society, economic life, language, and culture."
《天津地理买卖杂字》是怎样的一本书
杂字起源很早，是古代启蒙的识字读本。它通常汇辑各类常用字，编成韵语，以便初学者记诵。杂字不见经传，但通俗易懂，起了传播文化的作用。杂字是从《三字经》、《百家姓》、《千字文》演化而来。
《天津地理买卖杂字》诞生于清末民初，在1920年初版末尾，最初的作者应该是刘浚哲，有“刘浚哲，号慕尧，读罢经书兴致豪。刘浚哲，字唐臣，天津迤南沧州人。作杂字，有原因，天津地理日日新”等句可证。现市面流传的《杂字》版本的修订者则是张景珊或孙满常。因书中有“张景珊，忠厚善，冀县城西傅水店。孙满常，字惠民，天津西南枣强人。作杂字，有原因，天津地理日日新”字样可证。杂字应该是经过很多后人的不断修订和增补。
《天津地理买卖杂字》用纯天津话表述，言简意明，通过介绍地名和商号、行路指南、买卖商家、名人趣事、休闲娱乐、土特产品等，生动活泼地展开了社会百相与生活知识的描写。节奏采用天津民歌的“三三七”律，很像快板，朗朗上口，易于背诵记忆，语言是通俗易懂的“大白话”。节奏明快，合辙押韵，体现天津话浑厚、铿锵有力的特色。
河北省天津卫 公安局所保卫队
官银号商务会 准备银行国币兑
天津卫货物贵 又上捐来又报税
有水局有火会 急忙快跑消防队
体育社保安队 书夜逡巡不许睡
警察厅天津城 满街站岗有巡警
李星北卞月庭 天津绅士真有名
严范孙李士珍 天津翰林这二人
华世奎李学增 天津写家说得清
陈临之魏恩锡 天津写家真出奇
张秀岩宁星谱 先贫后富可说古
天津卫有富家 估衣街上好繁华
《杂字》对天津民俗、商业社会、经济生活、语言文化等研究十分有价值。
