Currently, Chinese is one of the most difficult languages in the world. After all, the Chinese language, which, as a rule, takes quite a long time to learn, is absolutely different from the European ones we are used to.
Is it easy to learn Chinese?
If in Russian the grammatical aspect is the most difficult, 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 still in existence. The difficult thing is that there are so many hieroglyphs that they number in the thousands. For example, in one of the latest Chinese dictionaries, the number of characters reaches as much as 50 thousand characters. Therefore, learning 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, China, gradually disappeared, leaving behind only a few monuments that currently serve only in role of historical heritage. But the Chinese hieroglyphic writing system managed to adapt to the constantly changing conditions of the development of civilization andremain rather complicated, but quite acceptable for the territory of this country, by way of writing.
But it is important to note that it is not only the hieroglyphs denoting words that are the most difficult to learn. Chinese numbers are also particularly difficult to learn. After all, it is very difficult to remember so many new images that represent quantities. Mostly Chinese numerals from 1 to 10 are easy for learners. This is the easiest part of the curriculum.
Chinese writing
Unfortunately, the exact time of the emergence of writing in China is unknown. But archaeologists have managed to discover various ceramic vessels with ornaments that are more than five thousand years old. Scholars believe that these vessels may represent the first rudiments of writing in China.
There are a huge number of different legends and myths regarding the origin of Chinese writing. Scientists attribute this invention to various historical figures. However, nothing is known for sure, unfortunately. The fact remains that this system of hieroglyphs was able to survive, actively functioning, until our time.
Chinese Language System
Also, in addition to all sorts of legends, there are specific theories of the development and origin of the hieroglyphic writing system in China. They say that the first sign system consisted of only two simple symbols. They were solid and interrupted straight lines. These signs had many variations and combinations.
In turn, these twosigns, as a rule, were combined into trigrams, which acted as non-repeating combinations of whole and interrupted lines. There were eight such trigrams in total. 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 anything else. The art of fine writing should be learned by anyone who wants to know Chinese.
Teaching a child to read and write begins simultaneously with classes and calligraphy. This happens not only in order to facilitate the very difficult process of memorizing a huge number of hieroglyphs, but also in order to instill in the child an aesthetic taste, the ability to perceive great art.
Calligraphy as art in China
Chinese sages believed that calligraphy is music for the eyes. It is also customary to call it in this country soundless music and non-objective painting. True connoisseurs of art consider calligraphy to be a dance without a performer, architecture without structures. Such enthusiastic comments express admiration for Art with a capital letter. But indeed, the movement of a hand with a brush soaked in ink, similar to a kind of dance, subject to internal creative concentrationa master capable of creating on a white sheet a special rhythmic harmony of black lines, strokes, dots - a harmony that conveys an endless range of human thoughts, feelings, moods. That is why calligraphy is a kind of key to many related arts.
Beautiful writing of hieroglyphs was considered a great art. Calligraphy was equated with such art forms as poetry and painting. Since ancient times, people have had special respect for someone who knows classical books and knows how to write hieroglyphs beautifully and gracefully. The posters, which were written in large print and beautifully, were hung on the street for everyone to see.
As for the paper on which the characters were written, it was treated very carefully, as if it were a gift from heaven. The Chinese have never crumpled, let alone thrown paper away.
Chinese calligraphy styles
It is a well-known fact that the Chinese take calligraphy very seriously, so there are quite a lot of different styles of beautiful writing of hieroglyphs. In general, there are five types of calligraphy in Chinese, which include:
- Chujan is the official font.
- Lishu is also the official font, but more simplified than Chuzhan.
- Kaishu is a charter letter that was created from Lishu.
- Caoshu is a cursive script suitable for quick and sloppy writing.
- Shinshu is a cross between cursive and charter writing.
What do Chinese numerals 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 the language. But with careful study of the topic, everything begins to fall into place.
Chinese numerals from 1 to 10 are not particularly difficult. They are fairly easy to write. And it is important to note that the first three digits in Chinese are represented as simple horizontal lines, the number of which corresponds to a certain digit. Therefore, even the person who has not seen Chinese numbers and hieroglyphs will understand the first three numbers. The main thing is to explain the logic to him.
But starting with the Chinese number 4, it gets a little more difficult. Because its appearance does not tell what number it is. Therefore, speakers of European languages at first glance will not be able to determine the numbers starting from 4 and above.
Numbers 11 and up
As for numbers starting from 10, the scheme is quite simple. It's just a comparison of Chinese numbers from 1 to 10.
Numbers from 11 to 19 are formed quite logically: the hieroglyph for 10 is usually placed before the (single) number from 1 to 9.
As for numbers starting from 100 and above, here the system is similar to the system for matching 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.
Of course, each number has its own image-hieroglyph, so there is no way out except to learn it all by heart. And that is why the Chinese language is so difficult for foreigners. Success can be achieved only by those who patiently sat, writing out and memorizing every hieroglyph, including numbers.
