Einführung in die nordchinesische Umgangssprache: Praktisches Uebungsbuch, zunächst als Grundlage f. d. Unterricht am Seminar

Authored by Carl Arendt, this practical exercise book was published in the late 19th century to support the instruction of the Northern Chinese colloquial language. It emerged from the rigorous academic environment of the Seminar for Oriental Languages in Berlin, a leading institution at the time for diplomatic and linguistic training. The volume was designed specifically as a pedagogical tool for students, reflecting the era's growing professional interest in Sinology and the structured approach to mastering regional spoken dialects for colonial and administrative purposes.

The design of the book focuses on systematic utility, prioritizing grammatical structures and oral proficiency over classical literary forms. Arendt’s work was intended to bridge the gap between abstract linguistic theory and the functional realities of communication in Northern China. While it served its purpose as a specialized textbook within academic circles, it remains a historical marker of early European efforts to formalize the study of Mandarin for students of international relations.