UN Chinese Language Day 2024: United Nations Chinese Language Day occurs annually on April 20. It is a holiday dedicated to the appreciation of multilingualism and cultural diversity. One of the six official languages designated by the United Nations is Chinese. The holiday contributes to the promotion of official language equality. Six days are designated in honor of each of the six official languages. These holidays are widely observed across the globe. The day’s activities contribute to the promotion of Chinese culture and the value of diversity. It is an opportunity for all to recognize the numerous similarities and distinctions between cultures.
The History of UN Chinese Language Day
Chinese is a language that has been spoken for millennia. The Chinese established the Sino-Tibetan language family, and Cangjie is credited with developing the Chinese language. Cangjie was a prominent and well-known individual in ancient China. As the inventor of Chinese characters and an official historian of the Yellow Emperor, he is well-known. The holiday date was selected in remembrance of Cangjie. During the early years of the Yellow Emperor’s tenure, the initial official historians coined the Chinese characters. Diverse dialects developed and disseminated across the Chinese provinces. A significant portion of the archaic Chinese that was spoken between the early and middle 11th and 7th centuries B.C. is hardly discernible in contemporary Chinese.
The United Nations declared UN Chinese Language Day in an effort to promote cultural diversity and multilingualism. The objective was to increase public awareness regarding the historical background of the Chinese language. Individuals are instructed on the advantages that can be obtained through Chinese language study. Chinese was designated an official language by the United Nations in 1946, and in 1973, it was incorporated as a working language by the General Assembly. A considerable number of United Nations personnel utilize Chinese for practical purposes.
Advocates for the adoption of the Chinese language foster an environment that encourages individuals to possess multilingualism. Language study is beneficial to the intellect and aids in broadening one’s horizons. Greater awareness is brought to the public regarding the fascinating nature of submerging into other cultures. We can all gain a great deal of knowledge from cultures around the globe. Additionally, learning a second language, such as Chinese, facilitates communication with those who share our tongue.
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FAQs for UN Chinese Language Day
What is the antiquity of the Chinese language?
It is hypothesized that Cangjie devised the Chinese characters approximately 5,000 years ago.
What percentage of the population speaks Mandarin?
An estimated 95% of people in China are able to understand and speak Mandarin.
What is the most intricate character in Chinese?
With 57 strokes, the most challenging Chinese character is “Biang,” which must be inscribed twice.
UN Chinese Language Day 2024 Activities
Dialect Chinese
To observe the occasion, one may engage in continuous Chinese conversation. Practice speaking the language with family and acquaintances, whether you are a native speaker or only know a few phrases. You might even instruct them in a few words!
Awaken to the culture
Educate oneself on Chinese culture through the study of literature and the viewing of documentaries. Numerous intriguing facets of the culture may come as a revelation to you. One may also discern parallels between specific Chinese customs or ideologies and those of their own culture.
Consume Chinese cuisine
Chinese cuisine represents the most convenient means of immersing oneself in the culture. Appreciate your beloved Chinese dish while appreciating its origins. You have the option of ordering Chinese takeout or preparing a dish at home. Remember to bring your utensils!
Five extraordinary facts about the Chinese language that will astound you
It is a language of images.
Chinese, like the hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt, is a pictographic language.
The Chinese language lacks a standard alphabet.
Instead of employing a segmented alphabet, the Chinese language is learned through the study of various characters.
More than 50,000 Chinese characters are present.
According to some Chinese dictionaries, the number of characters in the Chinese language is significantly greater than 50,000.
It is not necessary to use all 50,000 characters.
It is possible to comprehend and speak Chinese with knowledge of no more than 20,000 characters.
Gender is absent from the discourse.
In Chinese, neither feminine nor masculine terms exist in writing or speech.
UN CHINESE LANGUAGE DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | April 20 | Saturday |
| 2025 | April 20 | Sunday |
| 2026 | April 20 | Monday |
| 2027 | April 20 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | April 20 | Thursday |
