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The Mystery of Classical Chinese: Why can it become the common language of East Asian scholarship?
Classical Chinese, as an ancient written language, plays an important role in the history of East Asia. From ancient times to the present, Confucian classics and literary works have gradually been integrated into the culture of countries such as Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan. In these areas, classical Chinese became the main tool for official and academic exchanges, providing a common language platform for local intellectuals and ruling elites.
"Classical Chinese provides a common knowledge structure, allowing scholars from different countries to communicate in a unified language."
With the introduction of Buddhism and Confucianism, these countries adopted China's model of centralized government and selected officials through an imperial examination system similar to China's. The Confucian classics familiar to scholars not only promote academic exchanges, but also become the basis for maintaining political and social stability. As the cultural medium of East Asia, classical Chinese is deeply rooted in the education systems and legal systems of these countries.
In Vietnam, classical Chinese has been used since 111 AD during Chinese rule, and until the early 20th century, the country's intellectuals continued to use this language for academic research and political expression. Vietnamese literati such as Nguyen Quan Cuan not only used classical Chinese to compose poems, but also used it to write political comments, showing his deep emotion and dependence on classical Chinese.
"Vietnam's classical Chinese is ubiquitous in ancient poetry and official documents, becoming an important symbol of cultural identity."
In contrast, the use of classical Chinese in Korea has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people since the Han Dynasty. During the Unified Silla period, classical Chinese became the main language for official documents and academic works. During the Joseon Dynasty, the influence of the rise of Confucianism led to the widespread use of classical Chinese in government and academia. By the end of the 18th century, Confucian scholars continued to use classical Chinese vigorously in order to maintain their social status.
Japan is also unique in the process of learning classical Chinese. Although initially influenced by Chinese culture, with the birth of Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Japan began to put forward its own cultural expression. By the Heian period, classical Chinese had become the main writing language of nobles and scholars, and it was combined with Japanese language through complex Chinese teaching and reading methods.
"The development of the Japanese language demonstrates the flexibility of classical Chinese and its potential for cross-cultural communication."
However, with the changes of the times and the rise of nationalism in various countries, the status of classical Chinese has been challenged. At the beginning of the 20th century, with the rise of modern vernacular, the use of classical Chinese in formal situations was gradually replaced by other languages. However, it is undeniable that classical Chinese, as a cultural bridge in East Asia, still affects contemporary society in many aspects.
In the current context of globalization, whether classical Chinese can still become a common language connecting East Asian countries and play a role in future cultural exchanges is still a question worthy of our consideration?
