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课件网) The Chinese Writing System: Connecting the Past and the Present Can you recognize the following symbols picture-based symbols 水 日 家 明 simplified Chinese characters figure out the main structure of the passage through the analysis of 4-T angles. know the development of the Chinese writing system and increase your cultural confidence. understand the narrative characteristics of "time-event" in illustrative style judge the writing purpose and intended readers of the passage. express your own ideas on the given topics by critical thinking. By the end of this period, you will be able to Text Topic Thread Transition Theme Task 6T STRATEGY The Chinese writing system is one of the reasons why Chinese civilization has survived into modern times. China is widely known for its ancient civilisation which has continued all the way through into modern times, despite the many ups and downs in its history. There are many reasons why this has been possible, but one of the main factors has been the Chinese writing system. 1 Written Chinese was a picture-based language at the beginning. At the beginning, written Chinese was a picture-based language. It dates back several thousand years to the use of longgu—animal bones and shells on which symbols were carved by ancient Chinese people. Some of the ancient symbols can still be seen in today’s hanzi. 2 The writing system became well-developed, and later developed into different forms. By the Shang Dynasty (around 1600-1046 BCE), these symbols had become a well-developed writing system. Over the years, the system developed into different forms, as it was a time when people were divided geographically leading to many varieties of dialects and characters. This, however, changed under Emperor Qinshihuang of the Qin Dynasty (221-207BCE). 3 The writing system began to develop in one direction. Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven major states into one unified country where the Chinese writing system began to develop in one direction. That writing system was of great importance in uniting the Chinese people and culture. Even today, no matter where Chinese people live or what dialect they speak, they can all still communicate in writing. 4 Written Chinese connects China’s present with its past, and has become an art form. Written Chinese has also become an important means by which China’s present is connected with its past. People in modem times can read the classic works which were written by Chinese in ancient times. The high regard for the Chinese writing system can be seen in the development of Chinese characters as an art form, known as Chinese calligraphy, which has become an important part of Chinese culture. 5 The Chinese language is helping to spread China’s culture and history to the world. Today, the Chinese writing system is still an important part of Chinese culture. As China plays a greater role in global affairs, an increasing number of i ... ...
