Contemporary Go Terms

This hardback book is a very thorough dictionary of go terms in four languages: English, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese. Asian terms are written in both roman letters and the original characters. The book has multiple indexes that make it easy to find any go expression in any language with the parallel terms in the other languages. The definitions are quite complete and include explanatory diagrams where appropriate. With regard to Japanese go expressions, it is vastly more inclusive than any other dictionary available in English.

Sample Pages Available.

Comments & Reviews

Of some interest, but with reservations - Written by tealeaf on 2006-11-21 02:46:43

I bought this book largely out of interest in the Chinese terms for many of the situations commonly referred to by Japanese names in English.

The book is certainly thorough and well presented; however the Chinese terms are shown without pinyin tone markers which leaves you unable to correctly pronounce them. I think that this is a major oversight for what is, overall, still an interesting reference.

Not worth it - Written by DrStraw on 2006-11-20 10:49:25

I was very unimpressed with this book. There are too many inconsistencies that I would not trust it. I cannot speak for the Korean or the Chinese, neither of which I know, but the Japanese is not consistent with the commonly used terminology. I got the strong impression that the author was trying to create his own terms.

For example, the word "hane" does not occur anywhere in the index. What does occur is 'haneru", the verbal form. But if you don't speak Japanese in the first place then this is not of much use to you. "Haneru" is translated as "bend". "Turn" is the usually translation of "magari", so I looked that up in the Japanese index and did not even find it in verbal form. Under "turn" it was translated as "magaru". All-in-all, I think this use of verbal forms when these are not the commonly used forms in English go literature is confusing. One more example. Although "hane" is translated as "bend", the phrase "double bend" is used for a configuration which does not have a name in Japanese, even though it is the normal translation of the term "nidan bane".

I would rate this more as curiosity that a serious study guide.

Great for all players - Written by cuetzpalin on 2006-06-01 12:58:59

Even though, as any other dictionary or encyclopaedia, it's obviously an uncomplete book, i think it's the first and most extended work of its kind, presenting terms in 4 languages, with clear (sometimes) explanations and diagrams. Personally, i think it's a great book that helps for personal study of any book. I have not tried to follow a CJK book with aid of it yet (i'm waiting for some chinese books to arrive soon) but i think it also aids when reading foreign language books. Regards.

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