在将近上千年的时间里，中国无论在经济上还是文化上，都遥遥领先于世界其他国家，以至于伏尔泰曾经这样赞颂中国：“中国人在道德和政治经济学、农业、生活必需的技艺等等方面已臻境地。”古人所取得的巨大成就，既是中国人无上的荣誉，也成了中国人甜蜜的负担。事实上，几乎后来所兴起的任何一种新的思想，都可以在更早的古人那里找到类似的说法，甚至在很多时候，古人说得更为清晰和透彻。这种独特的情形，逐渐造就了中国人重继承而不重开创的品格。中国的人文学者，更看重“言必有据”，“字字皆有出处”，强调自己的思想是溯源于古代的某位学者，而轻视那种标新立异、违背古人原则的理论。当贵古贱今成为一种社会风气时，即使要阐述一种全新的思想，也往往要先披上一层古人的外衣，借助于对古代典籍的再诠释而实现。也正因为如此，
我们对手语的分类、标准化手语的形成及手语的一些基本特色做了一些初步的介绍和分析。当然手语的表辞达意能力是十分丰富的，决非 这一篇短短的文章所能涵概。但针对手语的研究与针对其他自然语言的研究相比还是十分薄弱的。在对手语进行研究时，笔者发现许多问题值得我们去进一步探讨。
Traditional images of the lion are iconic cultural symbols of China. The lion is believed to be one of the most auspicious animals in Chinese folk culture. Images of the creature gradually gained popularity throughout the country as they spread from religious venues to people's homes. With their distinctive national character and regional features, rugged appearance and excellent craftsmanship, Chinese stone lions are favorites of the Chinese people.This book focuses on the development of stone lion carving, the evolution of its designs, the folk culture the creatures exemplify, the principles for stone lion carving, and the various styles and uses of stone lions. On these pages are more than 300 photographs of the carved beasts from nearly 20 regions in China.
China has a long history of agriculture, so in the earliest stages its festivals were intimately tied up with farming. Today, the Chinese continue to celebrate these festivals, bringing them even closer to their ancestors, creators of a splendid culture.
