Several famous foreign language professors in Beijing have their own academic attainments and are deeply loved by the public, but they have their own emphasis on personal character and article style. Some are loyal elders, kind and easy-going; Some are brilliant, but they are cautious in speaking and writing; Some are soft outside and hard inside, and their writing is sharp; Others deliberately innovate, and their speeches and writing are full of enthusiasm. Xu Guozhang should belong to the last category. He is well educated, knowledgeable and familiar with Chinese and western cultures. In addition to English education, English and American language and literature, he has made unique and pioneering contributions to the study of linguistics and philosophy of language, and has also made many achievements in translation, cultural history and Lu Xun studies.

Xu Guozhang was the earliest scholar in China who studied and commented on structuralist linguistics. His article "A Review of Structuralist Linguistics" was published in No.2, Volume 2 of Western Languages (1May, 958), which not only had great influence in China, but also was translated into Linguistic Problems in the Soviet Union, which was extremely valuable at that time. In 1960s, Xu Guozhang's research tentacles completely changed from English literature to modern linguistics. He and Mr. Zhu discussed the structural linguistics together, which brought new information to foreign language teaching in China. Since the reform and opening-up, especially after being transferred to Beijing Foreign Studies University as the dean in the mid-1980s, Lao Xu's research on western linguistic theories has become more in-depth and systematic, and gradually formed his own philosophy of language. The linguistic part of the Encyclopedia of China Language and Characters, edited by him, has a high academic level and is well received by experts and scholars.

Xu Guozhang on Language was written in Lao Xu's old age between 63 and 75. From the perspective of modern linguistics, Lao Xu explored China's inherent philosophy of language, introduced Austin, commented on Saussure, reevaluated Ma Jianzhong, excavated Jin, annotated Xu Shen's Exegetical Preface, and interpreted Russell's History of Western Philosophy, which left us a rich ideological legacy. The insights of linguists, the profundity of philosophers, the accuracy of mathematicians, the rhyme of writers and the strength of great personality in the book are beyond the reach of future generations.

"South King and North Xu" is a popular phrase in foreign language teaching at that time, which contains people's love and admiration for Wang Zongyan and Xu Guozhang, who are full of wisdom, and shows their unswerving position in China linguistics.