Hu Shih 胡適

Born	(1891-12-17)17 December 1891 Shanghai, China
Died	24 February 1962(1962-02-24) (aged 70) Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
School	Pragmatism, Experimentalism
Main interests	Liberalism, Redology, Philosophy of education
Influenced by John Dewey

Hu Shih (simplified Chinese: 胡适; traditional Chinese: 胡適; pinyin: Hú Shì, 17 December 1891 — 24 February 1962), born Simen (Chinese: 嗣穈) and originally wrote under Hu Hung-hsing (simplified Chinese: 胡洪骍; traditional Chinese: 胡洪騂; pinyin: Hú Hóngxīng) with the courtesy name Xijiang (Chinese: 希疆), was a Chinese philosopher, essayist and diplomat. He later changed his name to Hu Shih and his courtesy name to Shih-chih (simplified Chinese: 适之; traditional Chinese: 適之; pinyin: Shìzhī). He also had a number of other noms de plume. Hu is widely recognized today as a key contributor to Chinese liberalism and language reform in his advocacy for the use of written vernacular Chinese. He was influential in the May Fourth Movement, one of the leaders of China's New Culture Movement, was a president of Peking University, and in 1939 was nominated for a Nobel Prize in literature^[1]. He had a wide range of interests such as literature, history, textual criticism, and pedagogy. He was also an influential Redology scholar and held the famous Jiaxu manuscript (Chinese: 甲戌本; pinyin: Jiǎxū běn) for many years until his death.

Biography[link]

Hu Shi (around 1940)

Hu was born in Shanghai to Hu Chuan (Chinese: 胡傳; pinyin: Hú Chuán) and Feng Shundi (Chinese: 馮順弟; pinyin: Féng Shùndì). His ancestors were from Jixi, Anhui. In January 1904, his family established an arranged marriage for Hu with Chiang Tung-hsiu (Chinese: 江冬秀; pinyin: Jiāng Dōngxiù), an illiterate girl with bound feet who was one year older than he was. The marriage took place in December 1917. Hu received his fundamental education in Jixi and Shanghai.

Hu became a "national scholar" through funds appropriated from the Boxer Indemnity Scholarship Program. On 16 August 1910, he was sent to study agriculture at Cornell University in the United States. In 1912 he changed his major to philosophy and literature. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he went to Columbia University to study philosophy. At Columbia he was greatly influenced by his professor, John Dewey, and Hu became Dewey's translator and a lifelong advocate of pragmatic evolutionary change, helping Dewey in his 1919-1921 lectures series in China. He returned to lecture in Peking University. During his tenure there, he received support from Chen Duxiu, editor of the influential journal New Youth, quickly gaining much attention and influence. Hu soon became one of the leading and influential intellectuals during the May Fourth Movement and later the New Culture Movement.

He quit New Youth in the 1920s and published several political newspapers and journals with his friends. His most important contribution was the promotion of vernacular Chinese in literature to replace Classical Chinese, which ideally made it easier for the ordinary person to read.^[2] The significance of this for Chinese culture was great—as John Fairbank put it, "the tyranny of the classics had been broken".^[3] Hu devoted a great deal of energy, however, to rooting his linguistic reforms in China's traditional culture rather than relying on imports from the west. As his biographer Jerome Grieder put it, Hu's approach to China's "distinctive civilization" was "thoroughly critical but by no means contemptuous." ^[4] For instance, he made a major contribution to the textual study of the Chinese classical novel, especially the 18th century novel Dream of the Red Chamber, as a way of establishing the vocabulary for modern "national language" (guoyu 國語). ^[5]

Hu Shih's tombstone in the park named after him, near Academia Sinica in Taiwan

Hu was the Republic of China's ambassador to the United States of America between 1938 and 1942.^[6] He was recalled in September 1942 and was replaced by Wei Tao-ming. Hu then served as chancellor of Peking University between 1946 and 1948, and later (1957) president of the Academia Sinica in Taipei, where he remained until his death. He was also chief executive of the Free China Journal, which was eventually shut down for criticizing Chiang Kai-shek. He died of heart attack in Nankang, Taipei at the age of 70, and is buried in a tomb in Hu Shih Park, by the Academia Sinica campus.

Hu Shih's work fell into disrepute in mainland China until a 1986 article, written by Ji Xianlin, "A Few Words for Hu Shi", advocated acknowledging not only Hu Shih's mistakes, but also his contributions to modern Chinese literature. His article was sufficiently convincing to many scholars that it caused a re-evaluation of the development of modern Chinese literature and the role of Hu Shih.^[7]

Pragmatism[link]

This section requires expansion.

During the Warlord era in the Republic of China, unlike other fellow intellectuals such as Liang Qichao and Chen Duxiu, Hu was a staunch supporter of pragmatism. Hu Shih himself translated it into Chinese as simplified Chinese: 实验主义; traditional Chinese: 實驗主義; pinyin: shíyànzhǔyì, literally meaning experimentalism, since he strived to study both academic and social problems in the scientific approach (in the general sense), and advocated cultural reform under the guidance of pragmatism.

The second translation as simplified Chinese: 实用主义; traditional Chinese: 實用主義; pinyin: shíyòngzhǔyì was crafted long after pragmatism became popular in China at that time due to Hu's endeavor. This secondary translation has become dominant today, but the intention of such terminology substitution was highly suspected to politically defame Hu for the term 實用 had been evolved into a derogatory sense.

Writings[link]

Hu was well known as the primary advocate for the literary revolution of the era, a movement which aimed to replace scholarly classical Chinese in writing with the vernacular spoken language, and to cultivate and stimulate new forms of literature. In an article originally published in New Youth in January 1917 titled "A Preliminary Discussion of Literature Reform", Hu originally emphasized eight guidelines that all Chinese writers should take to heart in writing:

1. Write with substance. By this, Hu meant that literature should contain real feeling and human thought. This was intended to be a contrast to the recent poetry with rhymes and phrases that Hu saw as being empty.
2. Do not imitate the ancients. Literature should not be written in the styles of long ago, but rather in the modern style of the present era.
3. Respect grammar. Hu did not elaborate at length on this point, merely stating that some recent forms of poetry had neglected proper grammar.
4. Reject melancholy. Recent young authors often chose grave pen names, and wrote on such topics as death. Hu rejected this way of thinking as being unproductive in solving modern problems.
5. Eliminate old clichés. The Chinese language has always had numerous four-character sayings and phrases used to describe events. Hu implored writers to use their own words in descriptions, and deplored those who did not.
6. Do not use allusions. By this, Hu was referring to the practice of comparing present events with historical events even when there is no meaningful analogy.
7. Do not use couplets or parallelism. Though these forms had been pursued by earlier writers, Hu believed that modern writers first needed to learn the basics of substance and quality, before returning to these matters of subtlety and delicacy.
8. Do not avoid popular expressions or popular forms of characters. This rule, perhaps the most well-known, ties in directly with Hu's belief that modern literature should be written in the vernacular, rather than in Classical Chinese. He believed that this practice had historical precedents, and led to greater understanding of important texts.

In April of 1918, Hu published a second article in New Youth, this one titled "Constructive Literary Revolution - A Literature of National Speech". In it, he simplified the original eight points into just four:

1. Speak only when you have something to say. This is analogous to the first point above.
2. Speak what you want to say and say it in the way you want to say it. This combines points two through six above.
3. Speak what is your own and not that of someone else. This is a rewording of point seven.
4. Speak in the language of the time in which you live. This refers again to the replacement of Classical Chinese with the vernacular language.

The following excerpt is from a poem titled Dream and Poetry, written in vernacular Chinese by Hu. It illustrates how he applied those guidelines to his own work.

Further reading[link]

• Chinese Writers on Writing featuring Hu Shih. Ed. Arthur Sze. (Trinity University Press, 2010).

See also[link]

	China portal
	Biography portal

• Modern Chinese poetry

References[link]

• "Hu Shih", in Living philosophies. New York: Simon & Schuster. 1931. 
• Li [李], Ao [敖] ([1964-]). Biography of Hu Shih [Hu Shih p'ing chuan] [胡適評傳]. Taipei [T'ai-pei shih] [臺北市]: [Wen hsing shu tien, Min kuo 53-] [文星書店, 民國53-].  Series : [Wen hsing ts'ung k'an 50] [文星叢刊 50].
• Yang, Ch'eng-pin (c1986). The political thoughts of Dr. Hu Shih [Hu Shih ti cheng chih ssu hsiang]. Taipei, Taiwan: Bookman Books.  in English.
• Chou, Min-chih (c1984). Hu Shih and intellectual choice in modern China. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0-472-10039-4.  Series : Michigan studies on China.
• Hu, Shih (c1934). The Chinese renaissance : the Haskell lectures, 1933. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.  (see online Resource listed below)
• Grieder, Jerome B. (1970). Hu Shih and the Chinese renaissance: liberalism in the Chinese revolution, 1917-1937. Cambridge [US]: Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-41250-8.  Series : Harvard East Asian series 46.
• Cheng, Pei-Kai; Michael Lestz (c1999). The Search for Modern China: A Documentary Collection. New York and London: W.W. Norton and Company. pp. 373. 
• de Bary, W.M Theodore; Richard Lufrano (2000). Sources of Chinese Tradition, Volume Two, Second Edition. New York Chichester, West Sussex: Columbia University Press. pp. 636. 
• Wang, Jingshan, "Hu Shi". Encyclopedia of China (Chinese Literature Edition), 1st ed.
• Shi, Jun, "Hu Shi". Encyclopedia of China (Philosophy Edition), 1st ed.
• Xie, Qingkui, "Hu Shi". Encyclopedia of China (Political Science Edition), 1st ed.
• Geng, Yunzhi, "Hu Shi". Encyclopedia of China (Chinese History Edition), 1st ed.

Footnotes[link]

External links[link]

• "The Chinese Renaissance": a series of lectures Hu Shih delivered at the University of Chicago in the summer of 1933. (see print Reference listed above)
• "Hu Shih Study" at newconcept.com (Chinese)

v t e China's Ambassadors to the U.S. the Qing Empire's Ministers to the U.S. 1875-1912 Chen Lanbin 1875-81 · Zheng Zaoru 1881-85 · Zhang Yinheng 1885-89 · Cui Guoyin 1889-1893 · Yang Ru 1893-1896 · Wu Tingfang 1896-02 · Liang Cheng 1902-07 · Wu Tingfang 1907-09 · Zhang Yintang 1909-1911 · Alfred Sao-ke Sze 1911-12 the ROC's Envoys to the U.S. 1912-1935 Zhang Yintang 1912-13 · Xia Xiefu 1913-15 · V.K. Wellington Koo 1915-20 · Alfred Sao-ke Sze 1920-29 · Wu Chaoshu 1929-31 · Yan Huiqing 1931-33 · Alfred Sao-ke Sze 1933-35 the ROC's Ambassadors to the U.S. 1935-1979 Alfred Sao-ke Sze 1935-36 · Wang Zhengting 1936-38 · Hu Shih 1938-42 · Wei Tao-ming 1942-46 · V.K. Wellington Koo 1946-56 · Dong Xianguang 1956-58 · George Yeh 1958-61 · Tsiang Tingfu 1961-65 · Zhou Shukai 1965-71 · Shen Jianhong 1971-79 Chiefs of the PRC Liaison Office in the U.S. 1973-1979 Huang Zhen 1973-77 · Chai Zemin 1978-79 the ROC's Representatives to the U.S. 1979-Present Xia Gongquan 1979-81 · Cai Weiping 1981-82 · Fredrick Chien 1982-88 · Ding Maoshi 1988-94 · Lu Zhaozhong 1994-96 · Jason Hu 1996-97 · Chen Xifan 1997-2000 · Cheng Jianren 2000-04 · David Lee 2004-07 · Joseph Wu 2007-08 · Yuan Jiansheng 2008-Pres. the PRC's Ambassadors to the U.S. 1979-Present Chai Zemin 1979-82 · Zhang Wenjin 1983-85 · Han Xu 1985-89 · Zhu Qizhen 1989-93 · Li Daoyu 1993-98 · Li Zhaoxing 1998-01 · Yang Jiechi 2001-05 · Zhou Wenzhong 2005-2010 · Zhang Yesui 2010-Pres.

v t e Dream of the Red Chamber Four Great Classical Novels • Cao Xueqin • Redology Text and commentaries Rouge Inkstone • Odd Tablet • Cheng-Gao versions • Gao E Characters Twelve Beauties of Jinling: Lin Daiyu • Xue Baochai • Jia Yuanchun  • Jia Tanchun • Shi Xiangyun • Miaoyu • Jia Yingchun • Jia Xichun • Wang Xifeng • Jia Qiaojie • Li Wan • Qin Keqing Masters: Jia Baoyu • Jia Zheng • Jia She • Jia Zhen • Jia Lian • Jia Rong • Jia Lan • Jia Huan • Jia Yun Ladies: Grandmother Jia • Lady Wang • Aunt Xue • Lady Xing • Lady You • Concubine Zhao Maids: Ping'er • Yuanyang • Xiren • Qingwen • Zijuan • Xiangling • Sheyue • Xiaohong • Xueyan • Jinchuan Secondary characters: Granny Liu • Xue Pan • Qin Zhong • Zhen Baoyu Redologists Cai Yuanpei • Hu Shih • Yu Pingbo • Wu Shichang • Zhou Ruchang • Eileen Chang • Feng Qiyong • Cai Yijiang • Liu Xinwu • Qigong Adaptations Dream of the Red Chamber (1944 film) • Dream of the Red Chamber (1987 TV series) • A Dream in Red Mansions (2010 TV series) Category

Agim Hushi world class Australian-Albanian spinto tenor.

Biography[link]

Professor Agim Hushi was born in Albania. After his University studies for literature and psychology in Tirana, he was discovered as a musical talent with an extraordinary tenor voice. He pursued his studies at the Albanian Academy of Arts in Tirana from which he graduated with excellent results in 1991.

From 1991-1992 he was principal tenor with the Albanian State Opera, where he performed the main tenor roles in Tosca, Cavalleria Rusticana and Il Trovatore. From 1992-1995 Agim Hushi continued his postgraduate studies at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest where, in parallel with vocal studies, he specialized in pedagogy of singing.

In 1995 he was appointed principal tenor at the Hungarian State Opera where he performed many major roles ranging in operas including Manon Lescout, Turandot, Il Tabarro, Il Lombardi and Purgacov.

From 1997 Agim Hushi pursued his career in Australia where he was invited to sing first, the role of Des Grieux in Puccini’s Manon Lescaut, for South Australian State Opera in Adelaide under the baton of maestro Richard Bonynge who said: "In my entire experience working with Agim Hushi has been a wonderful discovery. Agim Hushi and Laura Niculescu are the best cast in the world today".

Based on such great success he was invited and contracted for the same opera, to sing for Opera Australia. His Sydney Opera House debut was highly acclaimed and critics compared him to the legendary tenor Beniamino Gigli.

Hushi continued to sing around Asia, New Zealand and USA. In 1999 with an Australian government grant he went for a belcanto experience in Milan with Franco Corelli, who wrote for him: "Agim Hushi's voice is strong and beautiful and he deserve an International career".

Hushi has sung in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Dubai, Hungary, Germany, Russia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Croatia, Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Cyprus, Denmark, Italy, Spain, UK, Switzerland, Albania and Austria.

His best roles are Cavaradosi, Calaf, Des Grieux, Radames, Manrico, Luigi, Canio and Turiddu.

In 2010 Agim Hushi recorded with Albanian soprano Inva Mula for EMI her new CD, Il Bel Sogno with operatic arias supported by Zagreb Philarmonic Orchestra.

Hushi is currently the Head of the Opera Department at the Vienna Conservatorium and regarded as one of the foremost singing teachers in Europe. He was the founder of Belcanto School of Singing in Adelaide, Australia. Also he was teaching while continuing his singing at Singapore’s National University. Agim Hushi has given master classes around the world like in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Denmark and in many notable vocal institutions in European countries such as Santa Cecilia in Rome and the Ecole Normal in Paris.

Recently[link]

• Cavaradosi from Tosca, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. August 2004
• Cavaradosi from Tosca, Singapore Lyric Opera September–October 2004
• Calaf from Turandot, Albanian National Opera of Tirana May–June 2005
• Manrico from Opera Trovatore, XV International Festival of Opera, Russia December 2005
• July 2005 concerts recitals, Greece-Athens
• September 2005, Prishtina Kosovo
• July 2005 Macedonia, Festival of Ohrid
• April 2006 recital, Albanian National Opera of Tirana
• October- November 2006 Cavaradosi from opera Tosca, Albanian National Opera
• July–August 2007 Radames from Aida in Tirana Albanian National Opera
• September 2007 Recital in Vienna
• October 2007 Recital in Old Fellow Palace Copenhage, Danimark
• November Turiddu from Cavalleria Rusticana in Bulgaria
• December Recital Christmas Concert in Copenhagen
• December 2007 Recital in Sophia, Bulgaria with Sophia Philharmonic Orchestra
• December 2007 Recital in Stara Zagora Opera in Bulgaria
• March–April 2008 singing Manrico from Il Trovatore in Albanian National Opera
• April concert Recital in Nicosia, Cyprus
• June Concert Recital with National Opera Orchestra in Albania
• July Concert, Festival “The tone on the stone” Forlie, Italy Symphonic Orchestra of Bologna
• August 2008 singing Radames from opera Aida in open air
• November Concert Recital in London, UK
• April Concert in Budapest
• September Concert Recital in Monte Carlo.
• January Concert Recital in Macau
• Februar Concert Recital in Hong Kong
• May Concert Recital in Shanghai
• Septembre 2011, Concert Vienna State Opera, Tenor Guest in Memorial of Mario Del Monaco

AWARDS:

In September 1999 Agim Hushi was the Winner of the "Jane Potter Foundation" in Australia for his achievmant in Opera and for his high class performances on world opera stages.

In April 2000 Agim Hushi was awarded the "Emerging Artist of the Year 2000" from Premier of Australia.

In June 2005 His Exelency Ammbasador of UNITED NATION Wahid Wahidullah in Albania, awarded Agim Hushi with Golden Medal of UN.

On 29th of March 2012 The President of The Albanian Republic Mr BAMIR TOPI awarded Agim Hushi with gold award Great Master of Arts.

On May 2012 Agim Hushi received the title of Professor from Qingdao Technological University, P.R.C.

External links[link]

• http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=hushi+vitoria&aq=f
• http://www.google.com/imgres?q=agim+hushi&hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1W1ADRA_en&biw=1366&bih=587&tbm=isch&prmd=ivnso&tbnid=XTO7THgE6s51tM:&imgrefurl=http://www.musicint.co.uk/artists_3_9_97_s_1_tenor-agim-hushi/&docid=46rRQMAtem-JqM&w=224&h=336&ei=es8rTof2Fc3tsgaBho3XCw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=150&page=1&tbnh=136&tbnw=112&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&tx=56&ty=40