At present, Chinese is one of the most difficult languages in the world. After all, the Chinese language, the training of which, as a rule, lasts a rather large amount of time, is completely different from the European languages we are used to.
Is it easy to learn Chinese?
If in Russian the most difficult is the grammatical aspect, then in Chinese it is hieroglyphics. The Chinese alphabet is the only hieroglyphic writing system in the world, invented one and a half thousand years BC. e. and existing so far. The difficult thing is that there are so many hieroglyphs that they number in thousands. For example, in one of the latest dictionaries of the Chinese language, the number of characters reaches as many as 50 thousand characters. Therefore, the study of this language takes many, many years.
Other hieroglyphic writing systems invented in almost all ancient civilizations, namely in Central America, South Asia, the Middle East, and China, gradually disappeared, leaving behind only a few monuments that currently serve only as historical heritage. But the Chinese hieroglyphic writing system was able to adapt to the constantly changing conditions of the development of civilization and remain a rather complicated, but quite acceptable way of writing for the territory of this country.
But it is important to note that the most difficult to study are not only the hieroglyphs meaning the words. Figures of the Chinese language are also particularly difficult to learn. After all, it is very difficult to remember so many new images that indicate quantities. Basically, Chinese numbers from 1 to 10 are easily given to language learners. This is the simplest part of the curriculum.
Chinese writing
Unfortunately, the exact time of writing in China is unknown. But archaeologists were able to discover various ceramic vessels with ornaments that are more than five thousand years old. Scientists believe that perhaps the first rudiments of writing in China are depicted on these vessels.
There are many different legends and myths regarding the origin of Chinese writing. Scientists attribute this invention to various historical figures. However, nothing is known for certain, unfortunately. The fact remains that this system of hieroglyphs was able to hold out, actively functioning, up to our time.
Chinese language system
Also, in addition to all kinds of legends, there are specific theories of the development and origin of the hieroglyphic writing system in China. They insist that the first sign system consisted of only two simple symbols. They were solid and broken straight lines. These signs had many variations and combinations.
In turn, these two characters, as a rule, were combined into trigrams, which acted as non-repeating combinations of whole and broken lines. In total, there were eight such trigrams. All of them had a specific meaning, changing depending on the specific purpose for which these trigrams were used.
Chinese calligraphy
As for the calligraphy of the Chinese language, it is rightfully considered a whole national treasure. It is understood as an art to which in China every person joins much earlier than to anything else. Everyone who wants to know Chinese should learn the art of fine writing.
Literacy begins at the same time as classes and calligraphy. This happens not only in order to facilitate the very difficult process of remembering a huge number of hieroglyphs, but also in order to instill in the child an aesthetic taste, ability to perceive great art.
Calligraphy as Art in China
Chinese sages believed that calligraphy is music for the eyes. It is also commonly called in this country soundless music and pointless painting. True connoisseurs of art consider calligraphy a dance without a performer, architecture without designs. Such inspired comments express a worship of Art with a capital letter. But indeed, the movement of a hand with a brush soaked with mascara, similar to a kind of dance subject to the artist’s inner creative concentration, able to create on a white sheet a special rhythmic harmony of black lines, strokes, dots - harmony that conveys an endless gamut of human thoughts, feelings, moods. That is why calligraphy is a kind of key to many related forms of art.
Beautiful writing of hieroglyphs was considered a great art. Calligraphy was equated with such forms of art as poetry and painting. Since ancient times, people have a special respect for those who know classical books and can beautifully and elegantly write hieroglyphs. The posters, which were written in large print and beautifully, were hung out on the street for public viewing.
As for the paper on which the hieroglyphs were written, they were treated very carefully, as if it were a gift from heaven. The Chinese never crumpled, much less dared to throw away paper.
Chinese Calligraphy Styles
It is a well-known fact that the Chinese take calligraphic art very seriously, so there are a lot of different styles of beautiful writing of hieroglyphs. In general, five types of calligraphy are distinguished in the Chinese language, which include:
- Zhuang acts as an official font.
- Lishu is also an official font, but more simplified than the Zhuang font.
- Kaisu is a charter letter that was created on the basis of Lishu.
- Tsaoshu is cursive, suitable for quick and inaccurate writing.
- Sinshu is a cross between cursive writing and a charter letter.
What do the Chinese numbers look like?
The Chinese number system is actually very logical and consistent, but there are a number of features that at first glance seem incredibly difficult for a person starting to learn a language. But with a careful study of the topic, everything begins to fall into place.
Chinese numbers from 1 to 10 are not particularly difficult. They are written quite easily. And it is important to note that the first three digits in the Chinese language are represented as simple horizontal lines, the number of which corresponds to a certain digit. Therefore, the first three numbers will be understood even by the person who did not see Chinese figures and hieroglyphs in the eyes. The main thing is to explain the logic to him.
But starting with the Chinese number 4, it becomes a little more complicated. Because its appearance doesn’t suggest what figure it is. Therefore, speakers of European languages at first glance will not be able to determine the numbers, starting from 4 and above.
Digits 11 and up
As for numbers, starting from 10, the scheme is quite simple. Just a comparison of Chinese numbers from 1 to 10.
The numbers from 11 to 19 are formed quite logically: the hieroglyph denoting 10 is usually put before the number (unit) from 1 to 9.
As for numbers starting from 100 and above, the system here is similar to the system of comparing Chinese numbers from 1 to 10. First you need to remember how 100 will be in Chinese. And the number 100 will look like 百 - bǎi - 100.
Naturally, each figure has its own image-hieroglyph, therefore, there is no choice but to memorize it all. And that is why Chinese is so hard for foreigners. Success can be achieved only by those who patiently sat, writing out and memorizing each character by heart, including the numbers.