Have you ever wondered why we rarely see Chinese in the signing of treaties around the world? What kind of cultural mystery and linguistic charm are hidden behind this question? Today, let us unveil this mystery together.
As an important legal document for exchanges between countries, each signing of a treaty means that two or more parties have reached a consensus on a certain issue. But strangely, although Chinese, as one of the oldest scripts in the world and carrying rich historical and cultural information, rarely appears on the stage of global treaties. Why is that?
Is it because Chinese is difficult to understand? Apparently not. The Chinese language is vast and profound, with both ancient oracle bone scripts, golden scripts, and modern simplified characters, and its evolution process is itself a living history. So, what is it that keeps the international arena at a subtle distance from Chinese?
Perhaps, we can start with the uniqueness of Chinese. Chinese is different from pinyin in that it is developed on the basis of pictograms and signifiers, and each Chinese character is a complete unit of meaning. This uniqueness gives Chinese a unique advantage in expressing complex concepts and ideas, but it also increases the difficulty of non-native speakers to understand Chinese.
Professor Zeng Shiqiang pointed out sharply in a speech: "The world does not dare to use Chinese in making treaties, which Westerners will never understand." This sentence is like a pebble, causing ripples on the calm surface of the lake. Why don't Westerners understand? Is it because they can't understand the deeper meaning of Chinese, or because they are afraid of the wisdom and power that Chinese contains?
The rich connotation and metaphorical nature of Chinese make it more tense and deep in expression. For example, "Storm and Clouds" is not only a metaphor for changes in the weather, but also a metaphor for the turbulence of the situation, while "Finishing Touch" is a metaphor for the importance of a crucial step. This poetic expression is difficult to find a direct counterpart in English or other pinyin scripts.
Let's look at the writing system of Chinese. The writing of Chinese characters not only requires the correct order of strokes, but also pays attention to the strength and beauty of the strokes. This pursuit of beauty is difficult to experience in pinyin characters. Each Chinese character is a painting, a painting that contains history, culture, and philosophy. How can such a text not make people awe-inspired?
Back to the question of treaties. Treaties need to be expressed precisely, and every word of it needs to be understood accurately by both parties. And the complexity and ambiguity of Chinese may be what keeps the international arena at bay. But this does not mean that Chinese is not suitable for international communication, on the contrary, it is precisely because it is too suitable and too profound that it is prohibitive.
In this era of globalization, Chinese is gradually going global. With the rise of China and the spread of Chinese culture, more and more foreign friends have begun to learn Chinese and feel the charm of Chinese. Perhaps one day, we will see Chinese have a place in global treaties, which will be an important symbol of Chinese culture going global.
So, what do you think about this issue? Do you think Chinese should have a place in global treaties? Feel free to leave your views and opinions in the comment section.
In short, the breadth and profundity and unique charm of Chinese are both our pride and our responsibility. We should better inherit and carry forward Chinese culture, so that Chinese can shine more brilliantly on the world stage. As for the question of whether Chinese is suitable for global treaties, perhaps, as Professor Zeng Shiqiang said, "this is something that Westerners will never understand." But with the passage of time and the spread of Chinese culture, I believe that this issue will usher in more discussions and reflections. Let's wait and see!