CLASSIFICATION AND CUTTERING CHINESE MATERIAL AFTER PINYIN CONVERSION


Classification Schedules

Many Wade-Giles terms that are embedded in the LC classification schedules are being gradually replaced with pinyin terms, and x-refs. Are being made when necessary. The areas used most are being changed first: art, philosophy, Chinese literature, and Chinese history. Captions in schedules (and references) in areas of Chinese history, art and philosophy are being converted to pinyin.

Cuttering

LC's Cataloging Policy and Support Office will take a conservative approach to classification after pinyin conversion. LC will follow analogous procedures to those that were followed when the Library converted to AACR2:
- Keep Cutters printed in class schedule based on Wade-Giles romanization;

- Keep Cutters for Chinese literary authors based on Wade-Giles in PL;

- Elsewhere, Cutters for main entries will be based on the forms of headings that have been converted to pinyin, or are romanized in pinyin.
In the conversion to AACR2, some entries changed drastically, but Cuttering schemes were retained where printed. Since it will not be possible to reclassify, we must simply handle new material as best we can, using this mixed approach to Cuttering.

LC catalogers and technicians are using pinyin romanization after October 1, 2000, for purposes of classification and Cuttering. The result will be split files: an author could have works classed in 2 places, and editions could end up being placed in different locations.

Cuttering: BASIC RULES and TIPS:

1. From now on, Cutter for what you see in AACR2 form.
- There may not be a 'best number'; do the best you can, create a Cutter that fits in, and then move on

- The list of Initial Letters in Pinyin for Shelflisters may help explain the Cuttering of converted headings you find in the shelflist

- There are inconsistencies in the shelflist file already

- Over time, as more pinyin Cutters are created, a new order will begin to appear
2. If conversion causes you to Cutter editions in different locations, allow them to split.

3. Pick numbers that don't get you boxed in.
- Start with 3 digits following the letter, especially in class DS, and for main entries beginning with the letters CH, X, ZH

- Where there is severe 'clumping' of Cutters, technicians should consult with catalogers to investigate creating new class numbers, if possible
4. Note the exceptions to these rules:
- Cutters for literary authors

- Cutters for names printed in the schedule
5. Refer complicated problems to the Chinese Team for resolution.

Cuttering in Certain Specific Parts of the Schedule

History
DS793, Local history, counties

New works of local history will no longer be classes in DS793, but in DS797. Provinces, dependencies, regions will still be classed in DS793. Cutters for names of provinces have been retained in Wade-Giles form in the printed schedule, with x-refs. being added from pinyin forms. As one adds new works, one should see a mixed bag of Cutters for main entries, with a pattern of pinyin forms emerging. Many collected sets for local history will still be found here.

DS795, Beijing, no change.

DS796, National municipalities and special administrative regions (Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Macau)

Retain DS796 for the history of these administrative units. From now on, class all other cities in DS797 (for example, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Qingdao), including those that were listed in the printed schedule under DS796 to DS797.22+.

DS797.22+, Cities, towns, prefectures, counties

History of counties has been moved here from DS793. This new arrangement should now make reclassification unnecessary when Chinese cities and counties change their status (as frequently happens). New cities are not presented in the printed schedule, unless an x-ref. was needed from an old name. All Cutters will be in pinyin, so there should be little problem fitting things in.

DS778, Chinese history--biography and memoirs

Retain Cutters for people listed in the printed schedule. Deng Xiaoping's name was not printed in the old schedule; however, it has now been printed in pinyin form, with an x-ref. from the Wade-Giles form. Catalogers may request that new names of well-known people be included in printed schedule.

Literature
PL2832.5, Chinese literary authors, (1949-2000)

This time frame was closed at 2000. New letters for pinyin names were added to the printed schedule (such as PL2833.5 for names beginning with the letter B). For literary authors whose names are already established in Wade-Giles form, and whose names are found in the printed schedule, retain their Cutters. Use pinyin form for new Cutters (for new names in this period). X-refs. from pinyin form will be added to the printed schedule in the future. CPSO will also initiate a project to add literary author numbers into 053 fields on their name authority records. [see Classification schedules: Chinese literary authors (1949-2000)

PL2930, Chinese literary authors (2001- )

This is a new span of years, with all Cutters given in pinyin form. Most new authors who begin to write in this period will be placed within this span of years. [see Classification schedules: Chinese literary authors (2001- )

Elsewhere

Fill pinyin Cutters into the existing sequence of Cutters as best you can.


EXAMPLE 1: AC150.C, Essays by Chinese authors

Shelflist index Name, Main Author Full Title
AC150.C51767 Ch'en, Yün-lo [from old catalog] Ch'en Yün....
AC150.C51768 1985 Chen, Yongjin, 1922- Jin se di...
AC150.C5177 Ch'en, Yung-hsing [from old catalog] T'ien kung...
AC150.C51775 1997 Zhenshu. Man yu bo...
AC150.C5178 1987 Zheng, Chiyan. Diao yu zh...
AC150.C51783 1989 Zheng, Zhong, 1936- Shi dai feng...
If a new author's name is Chen, Yongxin, fit the name into the shelflist at AC150.C517685.

TIPS:

- First use Cutter table, find where the Cutter should be, fit it in there

- Don't necessarily follow first-letters on existing records in the shelflist, because some of the letters may have changed during conversion


EXAMPLE 2: AC150.W, Essays by Chinese authors
Shelflist index Name, Main Author Full Title
AC150.W8444 1993 Wu, Deyao Ke zuo sui...
AC150.W845 Wu, T'ien-ch'üan [from old catalog] I yü wang.
AC150.W648 Wu, T'ien-jen [from old catalog] Mu k'o shan...
AC150.W847 1979 Wu, Zeng, fl. 1127-1160 Nenggai...
AC150.W8473 1998 Wu, Zhongjie. Ren sheng...
AC150.W8475 1988 Wu, Zuguang, 1917- Jiang jun sh...
AC150.W848 Wu, Tzu-kuan, b. 1819. I tu p'i chi.
AC150.W88 Wu, Tzu-su [from old catalog] K'o wai chi
If a new author's name is Wu, Zhongling, fit the name into the shelflist at AC150.W84735.

TIP:

- Note that the LC shelflist may include old unconverted (PREMARC) names
EXAMPLE 3 : PL2303.W, Chinese literature, Poetry, General works
Shelflist index Name, Main Author Full Title
PL2303.W77 1994 Wu, Zhenping Chong kai...
PL2303.W79 1998 Wu, Jiarong Xin shi qi...
PL2303.W8 Wu, Ch'ien, literary critic [from old catalog] Wen i tuan...
PL2303.W84 Wu, Fengxiang. Zhongguo...
PL2303.W844 1997 Wu, Fuhui. Jing hai wan...
If a new author's name is Wu, Chu, fit the name into the shelflist at PL2303.W823.

TIPS:

- Try not to be misled by converted records

- Check the list of Initial Letters in Pinyin for Shelflisters for orientation, if necessary.
It helps to know that
- Wu, Zhenping converted from Wu, Chen-p'ing
- Wu, Jiarong converted from Wu, Chia-jung
- Wu, Fengxiang converted from Wu, Feng-hsiang
Pinyin Conversion Project Home Page
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Library of Congress Help Desk (06/29/2001)