Word order refers to “the temporal or linear sequence of words in a sentence, clause, or phrase” (p. 2). The significance of word order in Chinese SLA lies in the fact that word order in Chinese has great flexibility depending on the meaning to be conveyed. This unique feature of Chinese syntax creates substantial difficulty in the teaching and learning of Chinese as a foreign language (CFL), particularly for English learners of Chinese, due to the salient differences in word order between the two languages. Jiang systematically examines word-order errors in written data made by 116 English-speaking second-language (L2) learners of Chinese across three proficiency levels. Guided by the cognitive functionalist approach to the Chinese language (Biq, Tai, & Thompson, Reference Biq, Tai, Thompson, Huang and Li1996) and expanding on an existing taxonomy in Chinese word order errors (Ko, Reference Ko1997), Jiang introduces in this book a new taxonomy for Chinese word order errors developed from her dissertation research.

This book is composed of eight chapters. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the research project undertaken. Chapter 2 establishes the theoretical framework (cognitive functionalist approach) on which this work is based. Jiang makes a strong case for the application of this approach to her study, arguing that language structure is cognition-based and function-driven and that different conceptualizations of the physical world by native speakers of different world languages (e.g., English vs. Chinese) may shape the grammatical structure of the languages they speak. Jiang’s exemplary review of previous studies strictly follows four evaluation criteria and pinpoints several major Chinese word order principles (e.g., the principle of temporal sequence and the whole-before-part principle) that subsequently guide her categorization of word-order errors.

In the methodology section (chapters 4 and 5), Jiang justifies the basis for the use of error analysis in her study and details the procedures of data collection and analysis. Jiang’s argumentation and presentation of the research methodology are thorough and easy to follow, leaving readers with a clear overview of the issues at hand. Chapter 6 provides an explanation of the characteristics of the new taxonomy, substantiated by specific examples extracted from the data collected. These examples are accompanied by explicit descriptions and explanations and are well supported by the principles of Chinese word order. Chapter 7 shows the frequencies of occurrence of different error types and illustrates their difficulty at different proficiency levels. The data presented are illuminating for CFL teachers, and meaningful pedagogical implications are suggested for the teaching of learners across different proficiency levels. Chapter 8 highlights several areas for further research on Chinese word-order acquisition, such as the investigation of L2 Chinese word-order development in longitudinal studies.

Jiang’s work demonstrates a carefully designed study that is systematically carried out and empirically testable. One prominent feature of this work is its combination of a solid theoretical framework and its large-scale, empirically data-driven approach to the development of Chinese word-order error taxonomy. This connection is rarely employed in relevant lines of research in Chinese linguistics and yet is an important one because it empowers the author to take into consideration not only the point of view of the researchers but also empirical L2 errors exhibited in the learners’ interlanguage that are not available in the literature.

The new taxonomy introduced is of great value and a timely addition to the field of Chinese SLA. In particular, this work contributes to a better understanding of the acquisition process of L2 Chinese word order and offers a useful and accessible pedagogical basis for CFL teachers when they explain and teach word order in the language classroom. Researchers studying Chinese word-order errors and CFL teachers looking for a more explicit explanation of Chinese word-order errors will find this work an insightful and excellent reference to the structure of the Chinese language.