Chinese exists in a number of varieties that are popularly called dialects but that are usually classified as separate languages by scholars. Chinese is only one of a very few contemporary languages whose history is documented in an unbroken tradition extending back to the second millennium BC. There are three different types of Chinese; Old Chinese, Middle Chinese and Modern Chinese. Chinese languages, principal language group of eastern Asia, belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family. Nearly one-fourth of the world’s population still use Chinese characters today. At the same time, in its numerous dialectal forms, it has more speakers than any language … Asian History and Culture. The early forms of Chinese characters were pictographs (graphic representations of real objects), but characters became more stylized and came to represent ideas as well as objects. Let's take a look at 10 facts you should know about this complicated and very different language. The Chinese writing systems uses a logographic system (a series of symbols that represent a … You would be surprised to know that around one-fifth of the entire world population speaks Chinese as their native language. It is the most used mother tongue on the planet with over 900 million native speakers and more learning it as their second (or more) language. In China, when it comes to the spoken language, there are tons of dialects that are almost languages in and of themselves. Throughout the world it is spoken by some 20 million more. As an art form, Chinese calligraphy remains an integral aspect of Chinese culture. More people speak a variety of Chinese … Chinese characters have a history dating back more than two thousand years. Get started with profiles of key events and historical figures, along with articles about cultural and scientific contributions. Since 939, Vietnam regained its autonomy; Chinese language did not directly affect in Vietnam. Chinese is not an alphabetic language, like most written languages in the world. A guide to Chinese history from the beginning to the present age, including event history, lists of rulers, the political systems, the history of literature and philosophy, religions, technology and inventions, economy and arts, arranged by the dynasties. Chinese characters are considered the “pearl” of Chinese culture and the most accurate representation of the depth and meaning of the Chinese language. The History of the Chinese Language The Chinese Language has been around since 1122 B.C.E. It is difficult to determine the specific time when Chinese characters emerged. Just how important is the legend of Cang Jie? The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures History The history of the Department of Asian Languages at Stanford goes back to the academic year of 1938-39 when Shau Wing Chan (1907-1986) was appointed Instructor of Chinese and Literature for a program established by the School of Letters. History of Mandarin Chinese. Taking a highly accessible and balanced approach, it presents a chronological survey of the various stages of the Chinese language, covering key aspects … Since there’s a large gap between dialects, it was thought to unite the spoken language, coining what came to be known as 普通话 (Pǔtōnghuà), or the “common language” ( known to the non-specialist general public as “Mandarin Chinese” ). China is a country with a long history, and to understand modern China we must know something of its past. Chinese includes many regional language varieties, the main ones being Mandarin, Wu, Yue and Min. A History of the Chinese Language provides a comprehensive introduction to the historical development of the Chinese language from its Proto-Sino-Tibetan roots in prehistoric times to Modern Standard Chinese. Chinese is considered one of the biggest languages in the world. Chinese Language and Civilization. Earlier stages of Chinese still have a deep influence on the current language, and we should at least be aware of such influences. Discover the over-3,000-year history of China: a brief history with a China history timeline and introductions to the dynasties and periods. Ahead of the film’s release, Professor Lan Dong of the University of Illinois Springfield explores the origins of the legend – and the real history that might have inspired the tale… and … This wave, considered the largest influx of immigration to Malaysia , brought with it several different Chinese subgroups along with their respective dialects and cultures , such as those of the Hokkien, Cantonese, and Hakka people. Home to over 60% of the world's population and centuries of human history, there's a whole lot to learn about Asia. Cantonese language, variety of Chinese spoken by more than 55 million people in Guangdong and southern Guangxi provinces of China, including the important cities of Canton, Hong Kong, and Macau. Here, we’ve outlined China’s history in a basic introduction and hope you have a … Chinese history dates back over 5000 years and has a rich culture of art, music and poetry. Linguists believe that there are 297 living languages in China today. 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