Wang Li

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For the politician, see Wang Li (politician)

Wang Li (王力), or Wang Liaoyi (王了一), (1900-1986) was an influential Chinese linguist, a student of Yuen Ren Chao.

Born into a poor family in Guangxi, he was largely self-taught. He entered the Qinghua University in 1927, and was taught by Yuen Ren Chao. He went to Paris to study linguistics in 1927. In order to eke out a living, he translated works of French literature during his stint in Paris. These include a version of Baudelaire's Les Fleurs du Mal in classical Chinese verse.

He returned to China in 1932, and began his academic career. He spent most of his career in the University of Beijing.

He called his study "Study where both dragons and worms are carved" (龙虫并雕斋), which indicates the fact that he, as a prolific writer, produced highly technical theses as well as popular textbooks and essays. His important works include:

• 漢語史稿
• 漢語詩律學
• 同源字典