It’s no secret that learning a second language can be hugely beneficial for you. It can help your brain function, your memory, and of course, it can help you communicate.
Chinese is a popular choice for a second language. Many people speak Chinese, and learning how to communicate with a large population of the world can help you on a personal level or on a professional one as many businesses have offices in China.
However, when you start learning you’ll discover that there are actually seven different dialects within Chinese that are spoken in various locations.
There are also different types of written Chinese: traditional and simplified.
Traditional Chinese is the written Chinese script that was created as early as the 5th century AD.
In comparison, Simplified Chinese is the Chinese script that was implemented around 1946 and has been used since. As the name suggests, simplified Chinese is a simplified writing system that requires fewer strokes.
It also includes fewer characters when compared to traditional Chinese.
So you might be asking yourself: should I Learn Simplified Chinese or Traditional Chinese? The answer is that it depends on where you’re going.
Simplified Chinese is generally used in mainland China, as well as Singapore. It’s also used by the Chinese community in Malaysia and the Phillipines.
In comparison, traditional Chinese is used in Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong. Additionally, traditional Chinese is often used in Chinese communities outside of Southeast Asia.
Traditional Chinese is also occasionally used in mainland China – while the government encourages the use of simplified Chinese and that’s what’s taught in schools, there’s no ban on using traditional Chinese so you may see it used on occasion.
It’s important to know that regardless of which form of written Chinese you decide to study, the spoken version of the characters you learn sound the same for the most part.
If you’re mainly trying to learn Chinese to communicate some phrases because you’re traveling there (or some kind of similar situatio) it won’t matter which written version of Chinese you decide to learn in the long run.
However if you’re planning on a longer trip or if you’re planning on learning Chinese for any kind of professional reason, it might be beneficial – even vital – to learn the a specific written script.
Even if you choose to learn simplified Chinese, it’s crucial to remember that it’s still another language so you’ll still have to take time to study.
Don’t get fooled by the fact that it’s called simplified Chinese – you will still have to spend time studying and while it’s easier, it’s not easy.
Whether you choose to study traditional Chinese or simplified Chinese, you’ll find that there are many benefits to learning how to read and write in Chinese.
Learning spoken Chinese is important, but learning how to read and write in the most commonly spoken language in the world will allow you to communicate with millions of people throughout the world.
If you’re serious about learning Chinese and are looking for an affordable option that’s still high-quality and effective, try Mingo Space.
You can start with a 1 hour trial lesson if you’ve studied before. Click here to get started!
More Articles
How Learning a Second Language Can Help with Your Career Growth
Explore the potential benefits of learning a second language for your career growth. Learn how it can increase your competitive edge in the job market.
Best Way to learn the Malay language for Beginners
Discover the best way to learn the Malay language for beginners with our comprehensive guide. Learn the basics of Malay language for beginners here!
Is Basic Japanese Easy to Learn?
Find out if basic Japanese is a good fit for you, and how much time and effort is required to get started here!