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PROPOSED CHANGES IN NEW CHINESE ROMANIZATION
GUIDELINES: RESPONSE FROM CEAL
INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF CEAL RECOMMENDATIONS
In March 2001, prior to the meetings of the Council on East Asian Libraries (CEAL) in Chicago, the
Library of Congress officially requested that CEAL review two proposed changes to their "New
Chinese Romanization Guidelines". The text of LC's proposal is appended to this report. CEAL
supports the two proposed changes outlined in that proposal. Furthermore, CEAL requests that LC
implement the proposed changes as soon as possible, preferably before most pinyin conversion takes
place in RLIN and OCLC member libraries. Timely implementation will help facilitate changes in
the RLIN and OCLC databases. LC's leadership in taking immediate actions for implementing these
changes will be greatly appreciated by CEAL members as well as the library community at large.
CEAL STATEMENT IN FULL
I. CEAL supports adding an umlaut over the letter "u" in the syllables "lue" and "nue."
Reasoning:
a) Adding an umlaut over the letter "u" in "lue" and "nue" makes it consistent with the
practice for lü (驢, 旅, 呂, etc.), and nü (女). It complies with Hanyu Pinyin Fang'an (汉
语拼音方案).
b) CEAL endorses LC's reduction in use of diacritics in "New Chinese Romanization
Guidelines." (http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pinyin/romcover.html) However, in the case of
"lüe" and "nüe" CEAL feels strongly that diacritics be retained for consistency and
accuracy. Since they have very low frequency of use, correction and future input will
not be a burden to catalogers.
CEAL recommends the third option articulated in the proposed change, i.e. use an
umlaut over the letter u in the syllables lue and nue in the future. Locate these
unattached syllables on authority and bibliographic records and add the umlaut to
them. Add the umlaut to joined syllables on an “as encountered” basis. CEAL
requests that LC work with RLIN and OCLC to correct all authority and
bibliographic records that will be affected by this change before major pinyin
conversion takes place in many libraries.
II. CEAL supports the proposal to cease application of an apostrophe between joined syllables
ending in the letter "n" and with the following syllable beginning with the letter "g."
Reasoning:
a) In LC's "New Chinese Romanization Guidelines", paragraph d) under "Exceptions"
(RULES OF APPLICATION -- Separation of Character Romanizations -- 2. Exceptions
-- d), the first sentence clarifies ambiguous cases sufficiently.
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b) The second sentence which states "place an apostrophe between joined syllables when
the first ends with the letter 'n' and the second begins with the letter 'g,'" is redundant
and therefore unnecessary.
Explanation:
The first rule adapted from the Fang'an, states that "precede joined syllables beginning with the
letter a, o, or e, with an apostrophe." Among the three examples given in the Guidelines, only
Zhang Zhan'gang demonstrates the second rule. An apostrophe is used here to differentiate Zhang
Zhan-gang from Zhang Zhang-ang. However, if the first rule is properly applied, Zhang Zhang-ang
will be romanized as Zhang Zhang'ang and thus Zhang Zhangang (without apostrophe) could only be
read as Zhang Zhan-gang. Another example is fang'an (方案guide, scheme) that should not be
confused with fangan (反感dislike, disgust with). The first rule has already avoided the ambiguity
and is sufficient. To retain the second rule would only defeat the purpose of the first rule and cause
confusion.
CEAL recommends a THIRD OPTION that was not included in the original proposal. CEAL
recommends to cease the current practice AND requests that LC work with RLIN and OCLC
to locate and remove the redundant apostrophe in all authority and bibliographic records
before major pinyin conversion takes place in many libraries.
BACKGROUND
In October 2000, a colleague from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library
raised two questions on eastlib regarding the LC practice in the "New Chinese Romanization
Guidelines." The first concerned guidelines to omit the umlaut over compound vowels in "lüe" and
"nüe." The second question concerned guidelines to use the apostrophe on a joined syllable ending
in the letter "n" with the following syllable beginning with the letter "g." Both guidelines were
departures from the Hanyu Pinyin Fang'an. Responses on the eastlib discussion list supported the
argument, stating that any deviation from the Hanyu Pinyin Fang'an would cause confusion.
In March 2001, prior to the CEAL meetings in Chicago, LC officially requested that CEAL review
two proposed changes to the "New Chinese Romanization Guidelines" in response to the questions
raised. The first proposal was to add an umlaut over the letter “u” in the syllables “lue” and “nue”
to conform to the Hanyu Pinyin Fang'an. The second proposal was to add an apostrophe only
before syllables beginning with joined letters a, e, or o and to drop the apostrophe between
connected syllables that end with the letter “n” and begin with the letter “g.”
Discussion of the two proposed changes took place at the CEAL Committee on Technical
Processing meeting on March 22, 2001. Peter Zhou of the University of California at Berkeley
presented the proposals and led the discussion. Based on the LC document, Peter summarized the
pros and cons as well as options for each. A straw vote was taken at the end of the meeting with a
clear majority for adding the umlaut to the first proposed change. The vote for the second change
was close, with slightly more votes in favor of dropping the apostrophe between “n” and “g.”
However, many abstained from voting because the issue was too complicated for them to decide on
the spot without enough time to evaluate the pros and cons. The conclusion was to have individuals
send LC their opinions before the deadline of May 1, 2001.
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As the May 1 deadline approached, members of the CEAL Executive Committee, on the other hand,
favored an official CEAL response to the LC proposals. More discussion ensued among the
Executive Committee members, and LC agreed to extend the deadline to May 28. A task force of
three Executive members was appointed by the CEAL President, Bill McCloy, to prepare an official
statement from CEAL to LC. What follows is the discussion of the proposed changes that
led to the official response from the CEAL Executive Committee to the Library of Congress which
appeared as CEAL STATEMENT at the beginning of this document. “Proposed Changes in
Chinese Romanization Guidelines,” issued by the Library of Congress, is appended at the end.
DISCUSSION IN CHICAGO*
Proposal 1: Adding an umlaut over the letter "u" in the syllables "lue" and "nue,"
e.g. lue to lüe (略), and nue to nüe (虐).
Arguments for the change:
 Conformity to the standards of ISO, Hanyu Pinyin Fang'an, and the US Board on
Geographic Names
 Convenience for data storage, transmission and data exchange
 Since an umlaut is already used in syllables “lü” and “nü”, which occur more frequently
than "lüe" and "nüe", the practice should be kept consistently.
Arguments against the change:
 "lue" and "nue" without umlaut do not conflict with other syllables and thus are
unambiguous.
 Absence of diacritic marks is convenient for users.
Options:
1. No change (i.e. retain the current policy)
2. Make the change on an "as encountered" basis now and in the future
3. Option 2 plus locating authority and bibliographic records to add the umlaut.
Proposal 2: Remove the apostrophe in joined syllables when the first ends with the letter "n" and
the second begins with the letter "g,"
e.g. Zhang Zhan'gang 张占钢 (current practice) to Zhang Zhangang
Arguments for the change:
 Conformity to the standards of ISO, Hanyu Pinyin Fang'an, and the US Board on
Geographic Names.
 Convenience for data storage, transmission and data exchange.
 The apostrophe is not necessary. There is no confusion when the rule requiring an
apostrophe before a, e, or o when adjacent to another syllable is applied.
Arguments against the change:
 Omitting apostrophe would end in confusion as in Fang'an (scheme) vs. Fangan (aversion).
 Counter argument: No confusion, since there is already a rule requiring an apostrophe
before a, e, or o when it is adjacent to another syllable. The rule requiring an apostrophe in
all cases is redundant.
 It is convenient for readers to distinguish the syllable break.
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Options
1. No change (i.e. retain the current policy).
2. Cease the practice, and remove this apostrophe on authority and bibliographic records
on an "as encountered" basis.
Concerns and comments raised during the discussion:
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Authority file needs to be changed first, as it is project-based.
Is it possible to do a global change?
There are inconsistent opinions on romanization guidelines from end users.
We have to consider the cost.
LC practice vs. international standards.
Comments on the second proposal: If LC wants to make changes to a standard such as
Hanyu Pinyin Fang'an, which was developed by more experts than the total number of
people presented in this room, they should have VERY good reasons.
Members need more time and preparation to discuss these proposed changes within
individual institutions since the request for CEAL review was posted only a week before the
meeting.
Pinyin Input Task Force
CEAL Executive Committee
Vickie Fu Doll (vdoll@ku.edu)
Karen Wei (k-wei@uiuc.edu)
Yuan Zhou (yzhou3@midway.uchicago.edu)
May 25, 2001
*Used with permission by CEAL Committee on Technical Processing of its 2001 Chicago meeting minutes.
Appendix: The Library of Congress' Request for Comments
PROPOSED CHANGES IN CHINESE ROMANIZATION GUIDELINES
The Library of Congress is reconsidering its practice of applying the new pinyin Chinese romanization
guidelines. The Cataloging Policy and Support Office (CPSO) requests comment from the Council on East
Asian Libraries on the proposed changes.
Comments on these proposed changes, are requested by Tuesday, May 1, 2001.
documentation is welcome. Address comments to:
Robert M. Hiatt
Senior Cataloging Policy Specialist
Cataloging Policy and Support Office
Library of Congress
Washington, D.C. 20540-4305
email: rhia@loc.gov
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Additional supporting
1) Adding an umlaut over the letter u in the syllables lue and nue
The pinyin romanization table does not place an umlaut over the letter u in the syllables lue and nue. An
umlaut is used on two Chinese syllables (lue, nue) to distinguish them from other syllables that use the same
letters but are pronounced differently (lu, nu). An umlaut was not added to the syllables lue and nue because
their letters do not conflict with other syllables. It was also felt that the absence of diacritic marks was
convenient for users, and would lead to fewer typographical errors in transcription.
It is proposed that an umlaut be added to these syllables (lue, nue) so that they will conform to the Chinese
guidelines, as put forth in Han yu pin yin fang an. The proposed change would cause the syllables to conform
to those in the ISO standard for Chinese. Proponents say the change should be made for the sake of convenient
data storage and transmission, and information exchange.
Other major institutions that use romanized Chinese data do not employ the umlaut over these syllables
consistently. The US Board on Geographic Names uses the umlaut over these syllables. Romanized Chinese in
the National Library of China? bibliographic records does not include the umlaut. Some of the National
Library of Australia? bibliographic records employ the umlaut, some do not.
The options under consideraton are:
1) Retain the current policy.
2) Use an umlaut over the letter u in the syllables lue and nue in the future. Add the umlaut to these
syllables on authority and bibliographic records on an “encountered” basis.
3) Use an umlaut over the letter u in the syllables lue and nue in the future. Locate these unattached
syllables on authority and bibliographic records and add the umlaut to them. Add the umlaut to joined
syllables on an “encountered” basis.
2) Use of apostrophe in joined syllables
The pinyin romanization guidelines call for an apostrophe to be added 1) before syllables beginning with joined
letters a, e, or o, and 2) between connected syllables that end with the letter n and begin with the letter g. It was
felt that adding an apostrophe between the joined letters n and g when they represented the juncture of syllables
was easy to apply and made it convenient for a reader to distinguish where the break occurs.
It is proposed that the apostrophe only be added before syllables beginning with joined letters a, e or o. The
second application, noted above, does not conform to the Chinese guidelines as put forth in Han yu pin yin fang
an. The proposed change would conform to the ISO standard for Chinese. Proponents say the change should
be made for the sake of convenient data storage and transmission, and information exchange. They reason that
the current practice is not necessary; that cases of confusion rarely occur.
Other major institutions generally apply the apostrophe in a manner consistent with the guidelines of Han yu
pin yin fang an. The US Board on Geographic Names applies the Chinese guidelines consistently. The
National Library of China does not join romanized syllables, and so does not apply this Han yu pin yin fang an
guideline. The National Library of Australia generally applies the Chinese guidelines for the apostrophe.
Bibliographic records from the Bodleian Library, Oxford University show inconsistent application of the
Chinese guidelines.
The options under consideraton are:
1) Retain the current policy.
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2) Cease application of an apostrophe between joined syllables when the first ends with the letter n
and the second begins with the letter g. Remove this apostrophe on authority and bibliographic
records on an “encountered” basis.
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