Chinese characters the building blocks of Chinese writing

Chinese characters the building blocks of Chinese writing $(function() { $('#tabs1, #tabs1a, #tabs2').tabify() } )
Free Online Articles Directory Why Submit Articles? Top Authors Top Articles FAQ Publish Article 25.05.2009 | Login | Register | Hello Guest Email Password Remember Me
forgot your password?
Home Page News & Society Chinese characters the building blocks of Chinese writing Chinese characters the building blocks of Chinese writing Posted: May 25th, 2009 | Comments: 0 | Views: 1 | var addthis_pub="articlesbase"; var random_number = Math.random(); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='http://js.articlesbase.com/gadsA.js?v=1.0008' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); Syndicate this Article Copy to clipboard Chinese characters the building blocks of Chinese writingAuthor: Vikram kuamr

Chinese writing is believed to have been invented in the second half of the 2nd millennium BC. It was a pure invention with no transmission of any kind of scripts or writing from elsewhere. Chinese writing is done using Chinese characters known as hanzi. These Chinese characters used to resemble some animals, things or people when they were originally invented. However, over time they have been stylized by different generations of people and now these Chinese characters no longer resemble the shapes they originally symbolized.

 

Classical Chinese was the predominant form of Chinese writing till early 20th century. Chinese writing and the Chinese characters were borrowed by other countries like Korea, Vietnam and Japan till the time they came up with their own language. This form of classic Chinese writing is not very complex with each Chinese character representing some meaning. Most words in this form of Chinese writing are monosyllabic, with just one Chinese character being required to understand their meaning. This form of Chinese writing underwent a change sometime in the 1920s and another form of Chinese writing came into use. This new form used words which had two or more Chinese characters substituting the classical Chinese writing. Most of the publications since then have been written in this newer form of Chinese writing although the old classical Chinese writing can still be found in some proverbs being used today.

 

Chinese writing is highly complex with each character being allotted the same amount of space. There are no spaces between characters, further multi characters constituting a single word are not grouped together. This last fact makes the Chinese writing very complex indeed.

 

There are as many as 56000 characters in Chinese writing. However, most of them are obsolete or very rarely used. Knowledge of about 3000 characters is enough to read and write Chinese. For reading old literature one should know up to 6000 basic Chinese characters. All Chinese characters are written using the same 12 strokes. These 12 strokes are the basis of Chinese writing. One Chinese character may comprise of as many as 64 strokes or as less as just 1.

 

English language has as many as 8000 syllables while the Chinese writing consists of just 1700 of these. This leads to several syllables which sound the same to have different meanings. Such syllables are called homophones. Chinese writing differentiates amongst homophones by using different Chinese characters to represent them.

 

Chinese is a difficult language to learn as the Chinese script is highly complex. In an effort to simplify this language up to 200 characters have been modified a little to simplify them. This has increased the popularity of this language a great deal amongst westerners. It is now possible to learn both spoken Chinese and Chinese writing online. Several online Chinese tutorials have been opened which can teach basic Chinese to people right in the comfort of their homes. Such tutorials and Chinese schools are increasing the Chinese language literacy.

About the Author:

Chinese writing is a highly complex form of writing with words being comprised of one or more than one Chinese character . Mandomandarin is an online tutorial which can greatly help you in mastering this complex language.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Chinese characters the building blocks of Chinese writing

Chinese writing is believed to have been invented in the second half of the 2nd millennium BC. It was a pure invention with no transmission of any kind of scripts or writing from elsewhere. Chinese writing is done using Chinese characters known as hanzi. These Chinese characters used to resemble some animals, things or people when they were originally invented. However, over time they have been stylized by different generations of people and now these Chinese characters no longer resemble the shapes they originally symbolized.

 

Classical Chinese was the predominant form of Chinese writing till early 20th century. Chinese writing and the Chinese characters were borrowed by other countries like Korea, Vietnam and Japan till the time they came up with their own language. This form of classic Chinese writing is not very complex with each Chinese character representing some meaning. Most words in this form of Chinese writing are monosyllabic, with just one Chinese character being required to understand their meaning. This form of Chinese writing underwent a change sometime in the 1920s and another form of Chinese writing came into use. This new form used words which had two or more Chinese characters substituting the classical Chinese writing. Most of the publications since then have been written in this newer form of Chinese writing although the old classical Chinese writing can still be found in some proverbs being used today.

 

Chinese writing is highly complex with each character being allotted the same amount of space. There are no spaces between characters, further multi characters constituting a single word are not grouped together. This last fact makes the Chinese writing very complex indeed.

 

There are as many as 56000 characters in Chinese writing. However, most of them are obsolete or very rarely used. Knowledge of about 3000 characters is enough to read and write Chinese. For reading old literature one should know up to 6000 basic Chinese characters. All Chinese characters are written using the same 12 strokes. These 12 strokes are the basis of Chinese writing. One Chinese character may comprise of as many as 64 strokes or as less as just 1.

 

English language has as many as 8000 syllables while the Chinese writing consists of just 1700 of these. This leads to several syllables which sound the same to have different meanings. Such syllables are called homophones. Chinese writing differentiates amongst homophones by using different Chinese characters to represent them.

 

Chinese is a difficult language to learn as the Chinese script is highly complex. In an effort to simplify this language up to 200 characters have been modified a little to simplify them. This has increased the popularity of this language a great deal amongst westerners. It is now possible to learn both spoken Chinese and Chinese writing online. Several online Chinese tutorials have been opened which can teach basic Chinese to people right in the comfort of their homes. Such tutorials and Chinese schools are increasing the Chinese language literacy.

Chinese writing is a highly complex form of writing with words being comprised of one or more than one Chinese character . Mandomandarin is an online tutorial which can greatly help you in mastering this complex language.

Rate this Article: 1 2 3 4 5 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s) Print Email Re-Publish addthis_pub = 'articlesbase'; addthis_brand = 'ArticlesBase.com'; addthis_options = 'twitter, favorites, email, reddit, stumbleupon, delicious, facebook, google, more';

Related Videos Related Articles Ask / Related Q&A Play Learn about Chinese Antique Furniture - Symbols & Animals Play Chinese Chicken Salad Cakes Play Learn about Chinese Red tea and English Black tea Play The Craft of Writing Play Getting Through the Writer's Block
Japanese and Chinese characters and writingLearning each Chinese Character and Chinese WritingWhat You Must Know Before Learning ChineseIs Chinese really so hard to learn as a second language?An Overview of Written and Spoken ChineseWhat are your reasons for learning Chinese?The Composite Models Of The Chinese Language And Difficulty In Understanding ItAn Introduction to Learning the Chinese Language Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/news-and-society-articles/chinese-characters-the-building-blocks-of-chinese-writing-935517.html Article Tags: chinese character, chinese writing Add new Comment Your Name * Your Email: * Comment Body *
Enter Validation Code: *
Latest News and Society Articles More from Vikram kuamr Free Arrest Records Online SearchBy: Ben Dave | 25/05/2009
Such Free Texas Arrest Records are useful in many ways. They are widely used in pre-employment screening and are actually compulsory for positions deemed sensitive or classified.

Contributions of Chinese school towards teaching chineseBy: Vikram kuamr | 25/05/2009
In today?s world of gadgets and gizmos, China has emerged to be a key player cornering a huge chunk of the electronics and software market.

Chinese translation and learning Chinese- the two ways of bridging the communication gap between china and other nationsBy: Vikram kuamr | 25/05/2009
China is a diverse country with an extraordinarily rich set of traditions and culture. The language of Chin has been in existence for as long as 6000 years.

Chinese language made easy: learn Chinese online through the various online tutorsBy: Vikram kuamr | 25/05/2009
Chinese language is a highly complex language. It has been in existence for almost 6000 years now.

Chinese characters the building blocks of Chinese writingBy: Vikram kuamr | 25/05/2009
Chinese writing is believed to have been invented in the second half of the 2nd millennium BC.

Largest drug bust in history in Afghanistan 92 tonsBy: michael Webster | 24/05/2009
The international and Afghan forces then seized the poppy seeds, along with tar opium, processed morphine, heroin and hashish The statement said the troops had "seized the single-largest drug cache by Afghan-led forces in Afghanistan to date".

Know the Divorce RulesBy: Thomas Michaels | 23/05/2009
If you are going through the trauma of divorce then it is the best to know the rules. Read on as we tell you some facts about divorce? Child support is an important issue in a divorce case. The laws across the various states of USA are more or less uniform on this. There are various child support programs and funding by the state. Most follow the Family Support Act of 1988 to the core. The main motto of this law is that the interest of the child will prevail over

How Important is a Keynote Speaker in an EventBy: Amy Nutt | 23/05/2009
When you plan an event that entails providing valuable information intended to inspire creative thought and motivate the audience, you want to make sure that you capture and maintain the viewers' attention. For this reason, the role of a keynote speaker becomes a vital tool to an event's success.The keynote...

How Website Design Albuquerque And Website Design New Mexico Can Benefit Your BusinessBy: Vikram kuamr | 25/05/2009 | Web Design
If you run your own business then you know how important it is to get customers coming in through the doors of your store.

Where To Find Web Design Albuquerque And Web Design New MexicoBy: Vikram kuamr | 25/05/2009 | Web Design
Have you ever thought about creating your own website? Or perhaps you already have a website to call your own.

Rock Revival Jeans: The hottest jeans of modern timesBy: Vikram kuamr | 25/05/2009 | Clothing
Rock Revival jeans are the trendiest jeans in today?s market. Rock is now no longer confined to music.

Rock revival jeans and roar clothing line bring the rock culture to modern timesBy: Vikram kuamr | 25/05/2009 | Clothing
Rock revival jeans are one of the most stylish jeans of all times. These portray the rock culture in their casual laidback look.

Rock Revival Jeans ? Style That Won?t Break The BankBy: Vikram kuamr | 25/05/2009 | Clothing
One of the worst things about keeping yourself up-to-date with the latest fashions is the cost of doing this.

Rock Revival Jeans ? Not Just About The Rock GenreBy: Vikram kuamr | 25/05/2009 | Clothing
From its name alone, it might be easy to assume that Rock Revival jeans are all about the rock genre of music and the particular fashion that it has spawned over the years.

Bucks party ideas: The secret of a mind blowing Bucks partyBy: Vikram kuamr | 24/05/2009 | Online Gambling
There is no ?right time? to have fun. Every moment is equally ?right?, so get set to host the Bucks party, the best party ever. Invite all your friends to a special night where there can leave back all their worries.

Bucks Party Ideas for the Ultimate Bucks PartyBy: Vikram kuamr | 24/05/2009 | Online Gambling
Are you looking to host one of the most lavish parties possible? Do you want to host a party where there is not restriction on entertainment? If you answered ?yes? to any of the questions asked, then bucks party is your answer.

Vikram kuamr has 1253 articles online.
Author feedback
Subscribe to RSS

Print article
Publish this Article
Send to friend

Article Categories All Categories News & Society Causes & OrganizationsCultureEconomicsEnvironmentFreeJournalismMen's IssuesNaturePhilosophyPoliticsRecyclingWeatherWomen's Issues


Need Help?
Contact Us
FAQ
Submit Articles
Editorial Guidelines
Blog
Site Links
Recent Articles
Top Authors
Top Articles
Find Articles
Site Map
Webmasters
Partner with Us
RSS Builder
RSS
Link to Us
Business Info
Advertising
Article Writing
Partner with Us
Sign up for our email newsletter
Receive updates, enter your email below

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (0.09, 0) var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-318473-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}_qoptions={qacct:"p-53CbLQg6PHGMA"}; var dc_UnitID = 14;var dc_PublisherID = 1175;var dc_AdLinkColor = '009900';var dc_isBoldActive= 'no';var dc_open_new_win = 'yes';var dc_adprod='ADL';document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='http://kona.kontera.com/javascript/lib/KonaLibInline.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));//$.get('/updvw.php?id=935517');$.getScript("http://www.articlesbase.com.php5-8.websitetestlink.com/updvw2.php?id=935517&ref="+encodeURIComponent(document.referrer));function relocateDeferredContent() { var divs=document.getElementsByTagName("div"); var replacements=new Array(); for(var i=0;idocument.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='http://toolbar.wibiya.com/toolbarLoader.php?toolbarId=102' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));