In defense of teaching simplified characters
简体字教学
Chin-chuan Cheng 郑锦全

Abstract 摘要
Some psychologists in the United States have claimed that complex Chinese characters are easier to learn than simple or simplified ones. The fault with the arguments presented in support of such a view lies in the assumptions that complexity is positively correlated with redundancy and that redundancy always yields economy of effort. The ease or difficulty of learning simplified and complex characters is examined in terms of both recognition and reproduction. Empirical observations and careful studies of errors in actual learning situations all point to the conclusion that complex characters are harder to learn. Psychological experiments with Chinese characters are also cited to strengthen the argumentation. It is then suggested that the teaching of Chinese characters proceed from the simplified, with simplified-to-complex conversion rules given as appropriate. Students in the first two years of a Chinese program should be taught to write in simplified characters.

Article 文章

<< Back 返回

Readers 读者

Journal of Chinese Linguistics   volume 5 (ISSN 0091-3723)
Copyright © 1977 Journal of Chinese Linguistices. All rights reserved.