Yuen Ren Chao

Early Life and Education

Yuen Ren Chao was born on November 3, 1892, in Tianjin, China, although his family's roots trace back to Changzhou, Jiangsu. His childhood was marked by frequent relocations, allowing him to master four different Chinese languages by the age of twelve. In 1910, he traveled to the United States on a Boxer Indemnity Scholarship to study mathematics and physics at Cornell University, where he formed a lifelong friendship with Hu Shih, a prominent figure in the New Culture Movement. Chao's academic journey continued at Harvard University, where he earned a PhD in philosophy in 1918. His diverse interests included music and languages, and he became known for his exceptional ability to discern subtle phonetic distinctions.

Career Development

Chao's professional journey began in 1920 when he returned to China to teach mathematics at Tsinghua University. He soon transitioned to linguistics and music, becoming one of the 'Four Great Teachers' in China. His linguistic fieldwork, which started in 1928, involved extensive surveys of Chinese dialects, particularly the Wu dialects. After relocating to the United States in 1938, Chao continued to make significant contributions to linguistics, serving as president of the Linguistic Society of America in 1945 and becoming a naturalized citizen in 1954. He held a prestigious position as Agassiz Professor of Oriental Languages at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1947 to 1960.

Family and Later Life

In 1920, Chao married physician Yang Buwei in a modern ceremony that became a symbol of contemporary marriage for their generation. Together, they co-authored the influential cookbook "How to Cook and Eat in Chinese," which introduced terms like "pot sticker" and "stir fry" to English-speaking audiences. Their daughters pursued distinguished careers, with Rulan becoming a professor at Harvard and Nova a chemist and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Chao's later years were marked by humor and creativity, as he and his family published works that reflected their experiences and insights into Chinese culture. Yuen Ren Chao passed away on February 25, 1982, leaving behind a rich legacy in linguistics and education.