Recently, a trend of learning Chinese language has developed in high schools and coomuniies around the United States. Many people want to or are now learning Chinese language. This can be problematic although i could be a good turn of events. This is particularly so for those who know nothing about Chinese histroy, culture and the state of affairs in China today.
In mainland China they no longer use the traditional Chinese characters that go hand in hand with learning Chinese history. The Chinese Communist Party decided to alter the Chinese language for some reason, so they changes the vehicle for written communication.
Traditional Chinese characters evolved naturally over a period of time from pictographs or small drawings. By contrast the simplified Chinese created by the Chinese Communist Party has watered many of the traditional characters down to the point that they no longer are rooted in more ancient traditions.
Here is an example for your information. When refer to the traditional Chinese character for the word ‘love’, it also contains a picture of a heart in it. This makes sense as love is closely associated to the heart. But it is not the same in simplified Chinese. There is no heart when referred to ‘love’ in simplified Chinese. One may ponder how you can love without a heart.
Just like this example shows, the Chinese Communist Party has removed the heart of the entire language in many ways, it has distorted and altered it into a water downed version of its former self. In Taiwan, however, they still use traditional characters.
Therefore, you may wish to ensure that you are getting the traditional variety if your children’s school or community is planning to teach Chinese. The traditional Chinese more fully encompasses the rich history of China and the Chinese people. By contrast, those who teach our children simplified Chinese are from mainland China and unfortunately, they will also be passing on the values and ideas of the Chinese Communist Party. Whether they do so on purpose or automatically as a result of growing up in that environment, the end result is the same. It is only you that can decide if you want the influence of the Chinese Communist Pary imparted to your children.
Be sure to insist that our children are taught traditional Chinese and not the simplified version. This way the richness of traditional Chinese culture can be more fully enjoyed and appreciated. There will be more and more solid foundation to understand the more ancient Chinese traditions.
Posted in Kids and education