THE NEW CHINA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 296, 10 September 1919, Page 7

THE NEW CHINA

SIMPLIFYING THE LANGUAGE.

A movement fraught with great possibilities has recently been launched by the Chinese Government. It is an attempt to simplify the language known us, Mandarin, and containing over 4000 characters, 60 tbat the mdsfc illiterate may be able to read easily.' The plan adopted is Che publication ot an abbreviated form of Chinese writing, known as national phonetic script. Lecturers have been appointed to explain the sytUem,. and in some cases under threat of punishment the business (.men have been compelled to attend. It is' assorted by Miss Cable, a missionary in China, "tliat in a month by this method an illiterate can read with' fair fluency."

Prom an educvWonai poin o of view, there is no end to the possibilities before 6uch a system. Tho missionary societies are noli slow to realise the advantages, and already have started classes for educated girls, who in turn will gather groups of illiterate women and teach .them to read. fivory girl in. Ihhe mission boarding schools, is taught the scripi thoroughly, aim during her holidays seeks to mako a teaching-centre wherever alio is. Ili is made part of tho ChrisHan Endeavour scheme, and of Sunday school methods. Biblowomen, when visiting, carry Scripture literature to excito attention, and tho sheets of 39 symbols are suld widely.. j • .