Why is chinese a world language?
definition world language:
A natural language wich has attained meaning as a lingua franca far beyond her original language area ist described as a world language.
Such international traffic languages are spoken and understood by many people of different nationalities as first or two languages , they are used in international commercial contacts as well as knowledge transfer, often the world's languages are also official languages in several countries or international organizations.
Since the end of World War II English is the world 's most important international language as a world language.
Most of the world language caused by war expansion of countries where the language is spoken, and subsequent prolonged rule of the conquered territories.
Historical world language:
- Babylonian
- Aramaic
- Greek
Modern world language
- English
- French
- Russian
- Spanish
- Chinese
The World Languages Chinese (Mandarin), French, English, Spanish and Russian are official languages since 1946 the United Nations.
Mandarin is the most important of Chinese languages and has a total of more than native English and Spanish.
The most spoken languages in the world is the beginning of the 21st Century Chinese. In the first language, this 982 million and 118 million speakers are in the second language.
Chinese is the world language with the most native speakers.
Chinese is spoken by over a billion people. In addition to the high- Chinese with about 850 million native speakers, there are more 7 Chinese languages , which differ greatly from one another.
Chinese is the official language of:
- China
- Taiwan (23 Million people)
- Singapore (5 Million people)
But in other countries give it Chinese speaking minorities, who often live in the famous “Chinatown”.
Other interesting facts about the world Chinese language:
- The Chinese characters are the oldest still used writing system in the world.
- In order to read a Chinese newspaper, one should know at least 2000 Chinese characters.
- Early Chinese was written from top to bottom. Meanwhile, however, the notation from left to right as is usual in the West.
- Overall, about one- fifth of the world population Chinese as native language
The rise of China does not seem to stop. In a few decades, the Middle Kingdom is to become the largest economy in the world. Although China has improved its international position, English is a world language remained until now.
Chinese is difficult to learn for foreigners. But the difference between the four sounds and many possible characters, often straining the patience of learning ends. One example, among the four sounds of "ma" can be several characters with different meanings to give a response of " mother ", " hemp ", " horse ", " scold " and so on . Many foreigners have the experience that they need at least two or more years, in order to understand the pronunciation of the Chinese people on the whole. Moreover, Chinese is not an alphabetic writing, using special scripts, which is very difficult for the Chinese learning. Chinese is therefore not suitable to be a world language.
The trend is that China will have a growing influence on international markets in the coming years. Therefore, you should also take this into account if you are a business and want to do business with the Chinese future. Learning the Chinese language is indeed difficult, but it will facilitate communication and cooperation with the Chinese a lot.
China has only a few years ago to get an economy as they were in the West for some time.
The economic policies of the newly established People's Republic of China under Mao Zedong continued on schedule with the highest possible economic growth. China was an agricultural country at this time. The gross domestic product grew at an annual rate from 1952 to 1975 more than 5 percent. Later they sat on decentralization. Under Deng Xiaoping's collectivized agriculture was gradually developed. Since 1979 there are special economic zones. With the development of private sector, there was a cadre capitalism, the family preferred the important functionaries of the Communist Party (KPCh ) . The poverty of the rural population and the resulting exodus in the megacities of China shares with other emerging countries. A rapid expansion of infrastructure is needed to counteract the smog in many cities, which is caused by the coal-fired power plants. Also, water and soil are affected. Major congestion in urban areas due to the switchover from the bike on the car are another challenge. Today China has a significant trade surplus and high foreign exchange reserves.
Currently, the industrial development is extended to the whole of China. The government covers the land with new roads, railways, airports and other required infrastructure such as water and electricity supply, energy and telecommunications connections . Currently, millions of Chinese cities in the Chinese economy, and thus, in a moderately integrated into the world economy and equipped with the necessary infrastructure. Next, the cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants are then scheduled. Are then fitted into such cities, comparable invited to the principle of special economic zones, private investors from China and from abroad.
Under this structure emerged alone between 2001 and 2005 over 24,000 kilometers of new motorways. For China's highway network grew from 7,000 km in 1998 to 53,000 km in 2008. By 2020 , the Chinese highway system is again more than double. Also, the railway network will be expanded. From 2006 to 2011 17,000 route km to be added to the existing network. This represents almost half of the entire German rail network.
China's infrastructure and economy is growing rapidly, but their downside, the contamination of the environment, air and water pollution as well. The major Chinese cities are among the cities with the worst air pollution worldwide. Meanwhile, the thinking of the Chinese government has changed. Environmental degradation and pollution are classified by the government as a major problem in China. Therefore, China provides almost 40 percent of its financial crisis stimulus package of 2009 and 2010 in support of a greener economy.
Despite the economic successes of the last few decades the diet of the population remains a continuing important role of the government. The diet of the population is not considered secure due to the small compared to the large population of arable land. Liu Dongzhu , staff member of the Chinese National Bureau of grain reserves , explains that it was almost a miracle to be able to feed 22 percent of the world's population with only seven percent of global agricultural land : "The Chinese government aims to ensure the grain supply for the population to independently can . In recent years, the annual income could cover the cereal consumption substantially. Meanwhile, about 95 percent of the required crop in China itself generates.
Although the time under Mao is now regarded as a now overcome past in China, was published in 1999 in the People's Republic , a new series of banknotes Where previously only the 100 - yuan note was the portrait of Mao , his face now applies to all new bills .
It has allowed foreign companies to invest in China and foreign trade was liberalized. And institutional reforms to government investment or the control system were necessary. However, the political environment was at first nothing changed, so the economic system was officially designated as state socialism or a " socialist economy with Chinese characteristics " . In 1995, the economy grew at a stable high growth, the previously isolated country was the seventh largest participants in international trade, and the quality of life grew rapidly, the consumption expenditure of households initially led to price increases of more than 7 percent annually. From 2000 to 2005, the inflation rate was again in the range 0 to 2 percent. As an example, VW posted more than 1.9 million new cars sold in China in 2010. Thus, 37 percent were sold over the previous year 2009.
In recent years, many companies have moved their production to China. Meanwhile, however, diminish the cost advantage of Chinese sites, so on the other hand wins the rearward displacement of production perimeters to Europe or to the United States in importance.
Here are the 6 most important reasons why you should learn Chinese today:
1. The future factor:
Chinese is the second world language
While English is the undisputed world number one language, and that will probably remain for a long time like that. But the English language has got a competitor - Mandarin Chinese.
The official standard language in China is developing with the rise of China as a major economic power is increasingly becoming a second world language, spoken and understood by more people.
Especially in Asia, where China carries especially great influence on neighboring countries, many young people now prefer to opt for Chinese as a second language instead of English. And also on other continents like South America, Africa or Europe Chinese is learned diligently.
Linguists believe that Chinese words are just as naturally belong in 20 years to our everyday colloquial English terms as they are today.
Who in the future so would like to understand what their children are actually talking about, should better learn Chinese today!
2. The communications factor:
Chinese is the most spoken language in the world
I talk 'Chinese or what? This question is heard when it comes to communication problems between interlocutors.
But in reality it is understood by Chinese better than you might think!
In the People's Republic of China currently about 1.3 billion people, of which an estimated 800 million speak Mandarin, the official standard language as their mother tongue live.
Then there are the millions of Chinese who actually speak other dialects in their families, but they have learned in schools and universities in the country Mandarin, and use it in public life daily.
Adding to all Chinese together , residing outside the PRC , such as Hong Kong, Macao , Taiwan, Singapore , Malaysia, Indonesia , Philippines, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam , as well as in many Chinese communities and Chinatowns in the United States , Canada , Australia, South America and Europe , you come again to a number of about 60 million people.
So Chinese is currently the most widely spoken language in the world, or who speaks Chinese, can be around 1 /5 of the world population communicate - a real communication advantage.
3. The carrer factor:
Chinese offers career opportunities
It 's not so long ago, most Chinese was learned from such people were interested in East Asian philosophy. Communist China cut itself off from the rest of the world, was seen as poor and backward. With such a country could not do business.
Today, the Chinese economy is booming, and with the rise of China, the country becomes an increasingly important trading partner. Thus, in recent years, numerous collaborations in economic, political and cultural fields emerged.
This development provides people with Chinese knowledge nowadays the best career opportunities because there is still the world little well-educated , Chinese - speaking staff , such as Chinese teacher , interpreter , manager, engineer or general China experts in the cultural with the familiar features of the country .
Now you might say: What for learning Chinese? The whole world speaks English! And so you have a sense also right. Even and especially the young Chinese today speak better English than previous generations.
Despite language barriers are still one of the biggest obstacles dar. Who dominated Chinese can maintain much closer contact with Chinese business partners, and generally has better control over its projects in China.
This advantage is a normally closed, if only mastered English. Therefore, just because nowadays everyone speaks English, can his resume by Chinese still give a different touch!
4. The culture factor:
Chinese has an ancient culture Feng Shui, Tai Qi, Yin Yang, Buddhism, TCM ... the interest in Chinese culture has increased significantly in recent years in the West.
Most people here are concerned rather with trends and fads without developing a real understanding of the ancient culture of China. And basically this is not to criticize - lots of people have fun dancing the tango or salsa without knowing much about Latin America.
In a globalized world, but true understanding of other countries and intercultural skills are valuable properties that you can buy, for example, by learning a foreign language.
The Chinese language is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, as reflected in the characters about a thousand year old philosophy again. If you learn Chinese, is thus better understood as an exciting and interesting cultural space and learn to understand.
5. The “chic” factor
Chinese is the latest trend
Who can speak Chinese, is all the rage. It is perhaps as close as a few years ago, when very few people had an iPhone from Apple, and thus were considered to be especially cool.
Only that one naturally comes easier to an iPhone than on Chinese language skills. "I can speak Chinese " therefore still triggers other people about the same admiration as "I have a doctorate in nuclear physics."
One thing is certain - no one is more into question the intelligence of someone who is fluent in Chinese.
6. The creativity factor:
Chinese increases the visual thinking
Language is more than a means of communication with other people. Language is also an instrument of thought. In our head, a permanent self-talk takes place, which we explain and interpret the world.
The faculty of language, therefore, significantly affect how and what you may think.
Here, the structure of the language itself plays an important role. While essentially logical chains of reasoning makes use of the German language to formulate certain statements that the Chinese language is full of metaphors and symbols. And this applies not only for Chinese characters, but also for the spoken Chinese in general.
For this reason, Chinese people also think visually rather than on the factual level , and talk things often not concrete but in hints and parables from - a fact that Western interlocutors often to despair .
However, those who learn to understand this kind of thinking is not only cope better with the Chinese. By learning Chinese, it also increases its pictorial imagination in general, which is useful in many creative fields.
Finally, I would like to add personal experiences. Students who need to spend a semester abroad, opt for a stay in China. My cousin graduated this semester in China in 2007.
2 friends from my sister are living in Shanhai and go there for their future career.
