Introduction to Sun Chongyi

Sun Chongyi, also known as Wei Yi, was a member of the Hui ethnic group, with the alternate name Ye Haiya (1906.9.28 - 1997.8.23).

Member of the “Nine Three Study Society” (Jiusan Xueshe).

He was a lexicographer and educator during the Republic of China and after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. He taught at several schools, including Beijing Normal University Affiliated Middle School, Beijing Normal University Women’s Affiliated Middle School, Beijing Normal University, and Hebei Normal University. He also worked at the Compilation Office of the Chinese Dictionary and the Language Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He played a major role as a chief editor in the compilation of several dictionaries and made significant contributions to the promotion of the national language movement during the Republic of China era and the popularization of Mandarin after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Throughout his life, Sun Chongyi dedicated himself to teaching and nurturing students, cultivating a large number of Chinese language professionals for the country.

Biography

Sun Chongyi was born on September 28, 1906, in Shalan Hutong, Niu Street, Beijing. He was one of the early students of the famous Wang Kuan Ahong’s Niu Street Twenty Primary School.

In 1926, he graduated from Beijing Normal School.

From 1930 to 1934, he studied in the Chinese Department of Beijing Normal University.

From 1934 to 1946, he worked as a Chinese teacher at Beijing Normal University Affiliated Women’s Middle School, serving as a Chinese teacher and the head of the academic affairs office at the affiliated middle school.

From 1946 to 1950, he was a lecturer at Beijing Normal University.

From 1934 to 1956, he worked as a compiler and general secretary at the Compilation Office of the Chinese Dictionary.

In May 1951, he joined the “Nine Three Study Society” introduced by Li Jinxi and Ye Dingyi.

From July 1956 to November 1962, he served as a senior editor in the Lexicographic Editing Department of the Language Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

From September 1962 to 1984, he was an associate professor and professor in the Chinese Department of Hebei Normal University (formerly known as Hebei Beijing Normal College).

Major Contributions

Sun Chongyi devoted his life to his passion for language, writing, and education. The textbooks and dictionaries he participated in writing have held significant positions in education and linguistic studies in China. Throughout his decades of teaching, Sun Chongyi’s influence reached far and wide.

Collective Works:

“Guoyu Dictionary” (1948 edition, reissued in 1962 as “Chinese Dictionary”) published by the Commercial Press.

“New Radical Index National Phonetic Dictionary” (August 1949 edition) edited by Li Jinxi, with co-editors including Sun Chongyi.

“Annotated Zhonghua Rhyme” (July 1950 edition) edited by Li Jinxi, with co-editors including Sun Chongyi.

“Annotated National Phonetic Commonly Used Character Vocabulary” (August 1950 edition) edited by Li Jinxi, with co-editors including Sun Chongyi.

“Dictionary of Learning and Culture” (October 1952 edition) edited by Li Jinxi, with co-editors including Sun Chongyi.

“Homonym Dictionary” (May 1956 edition) edited by Li Jinxi, with co-editors including Sun Chongyi.

“Trial Edition of Modern Chinese Dictionary” (1956-1960), with Sun Chongyi as the main editor.

“Dictionary of Chinese Language Knowledge” published by Hebei People’s Publishing House in 1984, edited by Sun Chongyi, written by the compilation team of Hebei Normal University.

Personal Works:

“Speech on Commonly Confused Words,” published by Beijing Popular Bookstore in 1951, authored by Xu Shirong and Sun Chongyi.

“Speech on Phonetic Symbols,” published by Beijing Popular Bookstore in 1952, authored by Xu Shirong and Sun Chongyi.

Character Evaluation

Mr. Sun Chongyi is a knowledgeable and talented scholar who dedicated his life to two things: compiling dictionaries and educating students. Even after several decades, his former students from Beijing Normal University and the affiliated middle school still recall his brilliant lectures, and he held deep affection for his students. After receiving visits from over twenty classmates, he emotionally composed a poem that goes: “In October, the autumn scenery is beautiful, as numerous talents come to my home. Looking at each other, we recall the past, and our conversations are filled with memories of the present. Warm sentiments on paper, hidden blossoms in a pot. Emotions merge in the depths, while parting sentiments are sent with lingering twilight.” His words reflect his deep love for his teaching career.

Since the time of the Republic of China, he participated in the compilation of more than ten dictionaries, which played a crucial role in establishing and disseminating standards for the Chinese language.

In addition to his teaching and other professional work, Mr. Sun Chongyi also showed great concern for the cultural endeavors of the Hui ethnic group. From 1928 to 1931, he participated in the establishment and teaching of Zhongcai Elementary School in the Niu Street area. From 1947 to 1948, he served as a Chinese language teacher at the Beijing Islamic Seminary, hosted by Ma Songting, and assisted in supporting the publication and promotion of Islamic cultural works. Mr. Sun deeply loved his family and cared for his children. On the occasion of each child’s marriage, he would compose a poem to express his blessings. His children and descendants have shouldered important responsibilities for the nation. His eldest son, Sun Fenggong, along with his wife Xie Jingyi, his second son Sun Fengping, and his wife Lai Yunying, have inherited his educational career and continue to cultivate talent for the country.