Tai Ji for Health

                                

Author: Chen Zhenglei

Translator: Liming Yue

Chinese Print: Paperback: 201 pages (top picture)                                              

Publisher: Foreign Language Press (2008)                                                            

ISBN-10:  7119051083           ISBN-13: 978-7119051086                                     

English Version: Paperback: 208 pages (bottom picture)               

Publisher: Chen Style Tai Chi Centre (2005) ISBN-10: 1904719112           

ISBN-13: 978-1904719113                                                                  

Reviewer: Nick Gudge (Dec 2011)

 

This book is a re-translation of Chen Zhenglei’s 1993 book, first translated in 2002 under the title ‘Chen Style Taijiquan for Life Enhancement’. In common with this book the first four chapters contain basic taijiquan theory, descriptions and pictures of loosening exercises, silk reeling exercises and the movements of Chen Zhenglei’s Eighteen Movement form. The layout is clear and the use of English language is okay.

The translation is better in many respects as the original translation was lamentable. Unfortunately, much to the overall detriment of this new publication, the translator (who was also the publisher) has used the opportunity of republishing to provide a platform for his own Chen Tai Chi Centre in Manchester as well as some of his own ideas along with those of his students. More than half the book is spent in this way.

With the old edition the problems of language were easy to see. In this edition the negative effect of these additions rather more than counters the positive effect of the better translation. The original book was in English and Chinese, was smaller in size and had only 149 pages. This edition is larger in size (height and width,) is only in English and has over 200 pages.

Overall the book has become more focussed on the efforts and promotion of the translator than the teachings of the author. It is now far more difficult for the novice to get a clear idea about taijiquan from this new edition because the translator’s additions and errors of understanding have muddied the water.

Ratings:          Overall: 4.25  out of 10

Content: 3 out of 10  Language: 6 out of 10       Accuracy: 5 out of 10     Helpfulness: 3 out of 10