The history of Chinese is easier to follow if you keep two aspects in mind at the same time: the spoken language (which has changed dramatically across regions and over the centuries) and the writing system (which has been remarkably consistent, even as scripts, standards, and reforms have evolved). Since written Chinese has often retained older styles long after the spoken language has evolved, you’ll see instances where “Chinese” appears a certain way on the page even as it’s rapidly changing in the way people speak it. If you’re ready to dive into the history of the language, here are 20 fascinating facts that might just leave you speechless.
20 Fascinating Facts About the History of the Chinese Language
