Cultural Perspectives on Chinese Language (Chinese Characters) 汉语文字的文化é€è§†

Abstract

Language is not a mere expression developed out of the need for communication. It is an oral or written production which is culturally learned focusing on the traits, beliefs, behaviour and values of a given cultural milieu. The elements of language instruction in Chinese language have given a teaching tone to understanding the place of culture in language learning. This study hinges on the dialogic interpretation between Chinese language and Chinese cultural tradition. A divorce of the above notion amounts to generic incompleteness. This discourse draws its logic from China’s patterns of life (philosophy) as represented in the spoken Mandarin 汉语 (HànyÇ”), Calligraphy 书法(shÅ«fÇŽ), ideogram 表æ„å­— (biÇŽoyìzì) and characters 汉字 (Hànzì), a common writing system with historical relevance. This study therefore investigates Chinese language’s reliance on Chinese writing culture as a unifying attempt to create national standards laced with Chinese characteristics.