112 days ago
What are Traditional Chinese characters and Simplified Chinese characters?
Traditional Chinese characters are the traditional writing system of China, characterized by complex structures, numerous strokes, and a high degree of pictorial meaning.
Simplified Chinese characters are a simplified version of Traditional Chinese characters, designed to improve learning efficiency and reduce illiteracy rates. Introduced in the 1950s and 1960s in Mainland China, Simplified characters reduced the number of strokes and simplified the structure of characters, making them easier to write and learn.
Where are Traditional and Simplified Chinese characters used?
Traditional Chinese characters are primarily used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Additionally, many overseas Chinese communities, especially in North America and Southeast Asia, also use Traditional characters to preserve tradition and cultural identity.
Simplified Chinese characters are officially used in Mainland China and Singapore. The simplified system became widely adopted in the mid-20th century when the Mainland Chinese government reformed the writing system to enhance literacy and communication.
The evolution process from Traditional and Simplified Chinese characters
The evolution process from Traditional and Simplified Chinese characters was a reform aimed at meeting the essential needs of society in the modern context. Traditional Chinese characters, with their complex pictorial structure, had existed for thousands of years and were used in Chinese culture, literature, and daily life. However, with the development of society and the growing demand for education, Traditional characters gradually became difficult for the general public to access due to their complexity in writing and difficulty in memorization.
In the early 20th century, many Chinese reformers proposed simplifying Chinese characters to reduce the number of strokes, making learning easier. However, it wasn’t until the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 that this process was formalized.
The Chinese government launched a writing reform movement in the 1950s and 1960s, simplifying numerous Traditional characters. New characters were created by eliminating redundant strokes and replacing complex characters with simpler forms while retaining the basic meaning. As a result, the Simplified Chinese characters system was born.
When should you learn Traditional Chinese characters?
You should learn Traditional Chinese characters if you plan to study Chinese literature and ancient history. This writing system is used in literary works, philosophy, and historical documents, so if you want to access original texts, learning Traditional characters is essential.
If you live or work in Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau, learning Traditional characters will help you communicate and work more efficiently. 95% of people in these regions use Traditional characters in daily life and official documents.
Additionally, Traditional Chinese characters play an important role in the art of calligraphy and fields of study that deeply explore the Chinese language and culture.
When should you learn Simplified Chinese characters?
Simplified Chinese characters are the official writing system used in Mainland China and Singapore. Therefore, if you plan to study, live, or work in these countries or in companies based there, you will need to learn Simplified Chinese characters.
Simplified Chinese characters also help you access modern resources. Most materials, books, websites, and Chinese learning apps today use Simplified characters. Learning this script will make it easier for you to search for information and access study resources.
Conclusion
As the second most widely spoken language in the world, both Simplified and Traditional Chinese characters play a significant role in the global economy, culture, and communication. Depending on your educational and professional needs, you should choose which writing system to learn accordingly. If you are considering studying abroad in China, Taiwan, or Singapore, feel free to visit EI Group for free consultation on your study plan!
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