Re: Numbers of tiles in the Himly and Glover sets.

On Mar 29, 10:54 pm, al <a...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Thank you for your explanations.

As I mentioned in a recent post. Partly due to such lack of deeper
appreciation for the language and Chinese culture, Western MJ writers
tend to hang on to what they know from reading a range of "documented
evidence" and afraid to deviate from their long-held belief. They are
limited in their own capability to assess new info especially when it
involves foreign language and culture. So their choice is logically
that of safety in the known rather than risk in the unknown. This is
probably in keeping with Dr. Phil's diagnosis?

I freely admit that I do not know much about the Chinese language as a
whole. However, I have to also admit that from your replies, I do not
think you are an authority.

I do think you may be able to speak authoritatively on your own local
language experience during your lifetime.

But do you claim you are an authority on the language and its
intricacies during the early 19th century?

If you do know, and you put up good evidence and reasons then I am
also bound to consider your claims - just as I did regarding your
comments about the character appearing on the playng cards on the web
site.

If you provide really good evidence and reasons for your claims in
this area then of course, as a Western historian I am bound to sit up
and consider your claims.

But please understand, in all honesty, from your many replies, it is
evident to me that you are more of a novice about Chinese playing card
culture than I am.

I hope I have answered the questions.

Yes, Thank you very much.

I thought that is a "complete book" he wrote. He didn't seem to
believe that.

Millington has paraphrased both Ly Yu Sang and, IIRC, Foster's book as
well.

Why not? Does that mean Ly Yu Sang's work did not get any attention in
your study either?

Wasn't he one of the very few early Chinese writers on the game?

I do not know what you mean by 'few'. If you check Tom's site and look
at the timeline, there are a number of manuals written by Chinese
authors. I cant remember how many as I have not checked lately.

Do you remember I said I also have Sang's book? I have read Sang and
considered his work - hence why I decided to research his ideas about
6 years ago.

Not sure what you mean by having "considered" Sang's work. Why so
much, 6 years and more, research is needed?

I am sorry, I looked into Sang's work and had to gather texts and
other relevant material to understand what he was claiming.

Like your ideas, I am afraid that his claims also lack the evidence I
require to accept them as a useful, working explanation at this time.

Perhaps it is quite
different from the parsimonious stuff like Himly's, Wilkinson's etc.?

Have you read Himly's articles?

If so, could you please give me a copy of your translation and
thoughts on what he wrote?

Why are you so eagerly willinging to jump to conclusions and assume
things about people's work without knowing what they wrote?

You may know a tiny bit from what I have mentioned. But have you made
any attempt to obtain Himly's articles and read them to see all what
he wrote about Chinese playing cards?

I notice that you say Sang's 'work' but Himly's and Wilkinson's
'stuff'.

Are you aware of your choice of words? Do you not see that they make
you appear to be prejudiced?

Rather than giving good reason's and evidence to back up your claims,
I think you try and hide behind your prejudice about Westerner's, as
if that is a valid reason for why they find it difficult at this time
to accept your ideas.

Please understand that it has nothing to do with an appreciation or
lack of appreciation and understanding of Chinese culture.

It has everything to do with your attempt to link aspects of ancient
Chinese concepts to the game of ma que.

If your arguments claim a link, but without credible objective
(outside) evidence that others require to accept your views, then how
do you expect others to take your views forward?

You said above; "They are limited in their own capability to assess
new info especially when it involves foreign language and culture."

I do wish you would stop hiding behind vague generalisations? Look,
the 'new info' is in fact a vague term for your own ideas/claims, is
it not?

I don't care what information you have packed into your ideas. If you
give good objective credible evidence to show that these ideas are
linked to the game then you will have no problem in getting others to
accept your ideas.

Or are you saying that we should believe and accept what you say on
faith - because we a ignorant Westerner's and you are an authority on
this aspect of Chinese culture? Are you saying that we must believe
you without any good reasons and evidence whatsoever?




++++++++++++++++
Cheers...

.

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