Dialogue on Views on Civilization | Wang Jianli

Telling the Chinese Stories behind Chinese Characters and Words

Chinese civilization is the only civilization in the world that has never been interrupted. The vast collection of Chinese classics and unearthed documents, as well as written language, have recorded and continued the splendid Chinese culture and civilization. Writing is the foundation of written language. Therefore, when telling stories about Chinese characters, it is necessary to clearly explain the cultural connotations and historical evolution, as well as aesthetic preferences and spiritual pursuits. Moreover, the stories should be told in an exciting and captivating manner to truly move and inspire people.

For example, "福" (fú) is one of the most beloved Chinese characters among Chinese people. Its presence can be seen everywhere, from Spring Festival couplets, clothing, architecture to daily necessities. However, there are mixed and sometimes misleading articles on the internet that discuss the stories behind the character "福." Some people even misinterpret the character by associating the component "畐" (fú) on the right side of "福" with the components "一" (yī), "口" (kǒu) and "田" (tián), suggesting that "一" represents the beginning of all things, "口" represents "food and speech", and "田" represents farming and hunting. Such inaccurate claims can mislead readers.

In fact, the character "福" (fú) is derived from the radical "畐" (fú). The character "畐" can be found in oracle bone inscriptions and originally may have represented a wine vessel with a large belly and a small mouth. It is important to note that "畐" and "酉" are two different characters. In the early Western Zhou Dynasty, the radical "示" (shì) was added to "畐", creating the character "福". “畐” carries the meaning of abundance, and in an era with low productivity, storing a large quantity of wine represented wealth. The desire for "多福" (duō fú), meaning "abundant blessings", is frequently seen in ancient inscriptions. During the Spring and Autumn period, people's understanding of how to attain blessings gradually shifted from seeking divine intervention to cultivating virtues and respecting human affairs. The concept of "福" expanded from merely storing fine wine to encompassing wealth, longevity, good health, peace, auspiciousness, completeness, and ultimately, the pursuit of a better life.

We need to select and organize a set of key Chinese characters, combing through their historical development and rich cultural connotations, and present them through concise, understandable, fresh, and lively stories. This will better showcase and promote Chinese language and culture to the world.

Tell vocabulary stories well

Vocabulary is the "building material" of language and serves as the foundation for communication and social interaction for Chinese learners. Chinese vocabulary is vast and profound. Chinese learners not only need to understand the literal meanings of words but also grasp their implied meanings and cultural connotations. For example, "玉(jade)" originally referred to a beautiful gemstone, clear and precious, symbolizing beauty and goodness. In “Qunqing Pingyi· 尔雅二” of the Qing Dynasty, it says, "Ancient people used the word '玉(jade)' to describe anything beautiful. Examples include '玉食(jade food)' in 'Book of Documents', '玉女(jade lady)' in 'Book of Rites', and '玉锦(jade brocade)' in 'Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial'." From the positive connotation of beauty, "玉" also implies preciousness, cherishment, and is often used as a respectful term. It demonstrates strong word-building capabilities, such as 玉林 (jade forest), 玉竹 (jade bamboo), 玉叶 (jade leaves), 玉盘 (jade plate), 玉枝 (jade branch), 玉颜 (jade countenance), 玉言 (jade words), 玉瓶 (jade bottle), 玉碎 (jade shattered), 玉体 (jade body), 玉兔 (jade rabbit), and so on.

In addition to the vocabulary found in textbooks, international students studying in China and Chinese language enthusiasts will also come into contact with local dialect words and colloquial expressions in their studies and daily lives. These language and cultural resources with local characteristics actually serve as an "introduction" for Chinese learners to understand local Chinese culture and have a strong cultural appeal. For example, in the Guanzhong region of Shaanxi Province, there is a type of noodle called "biáng-biáng mian", which refers to hand-pulled noodles that are long and wide. It is named after the sound "biáng-biáng" made when making the noodles. This type of noodle has been included in the third batch of intangible cultural heritage in Shaanxi Province. Shaanxi universities have organized sessions for international students to explain the origin and craftsmanship of this traditional delicacy, as well as observe the process of its production by inheritors of intangible cultural heritage. This has had a very positive impact on teaching effectiveness. In fact, dialect words from different regions have a strong regional cultural atmosphere and can simultaneously meet the language learning and folk customs learning needs of Chinese learners.

Tell aphorism stories well

China has a rich abundance of aphorism resources, with almost every idiom, proverb, riddle and idiomatic expression containing a fascinating story. In international Chinese language education, explaining the meaning, historical background, semantic variations and ideological connotations of aphorisms in a precise and concise manner can significantly enhance the language proficiency of Chinese learners.

In recent years, we have collected and compiled dictionaries of idioms, proverbs and riddles. We have also translated them into various formats such as storybooks and short videos, adapting traditional idioms and allusions like "grinding an iron rod into a needle", "the foolish old man who moved mountains" and "the bird Jingwei filling the sea" into modern Chinese stories. These adaptations narrate their developmental origins, cultural semantics and historical backgrounds, which have been well-received by international students. While telling aphorism stories, profound Chinese ideological and cultural concepts are also showcased. For example, the social ideal of "the world for all", the philosophical concept of "integration of knowledge and action", the governance principle of "people as the foundation of a nation", the ecological idea of "nurturing all things", and the interpersonal principle of "kinship, benevolence and good neighboring" are increasingly understood and acknowledged by international students through international Chinese language education.

Of course, when explaining aphorism stories, we shouldn't just cling to old traditions but should imbue them with contemporary value, showcasing the linguistic and cultural charm of the Chinese language. Furthermore, from the perspective of thematic categorization, we aim to systematize the semantic aspects of phrases and tell contemporary stories from different angles and perspectives under the same theme. For instance, the Chinese nation has always been an innovative one, and throughout its history, there have been a wide array of fascinating proverbs related to innovation. "If you are new today, be new every day, and be renewed again." This inscription was originally carved on the bathing tub of King Tang of the Shang Dynasty, conveying the idea that if one manages to be innovative for a day, they should strive to be new every day and continuously renew themselves. Although initially related to bathing, it is metaphorically extended to encourage people to reflect on themselves promptly and continuously innovate. "Learning all the languages of birds, yet having no voice of one's own" originally emphasized the need for literary creation to be boldly innovative and develop a unique style. Now, it is commonly used to illustrate the importance of avoiding mere imitation and having the courage to innovate, expressing one's independent thoughts and insights. "In the game of chess, do not discard old strategies, but do not cling to them; in the practice of medicine, do not adhere rigidly to ancient prescriptions, but do not abandon them." Here, the metaphors of playing chess with established strategies and practicing medicine with traditional prescriptions imply that in all matters, one should build on the accumulated experiences and achievements of predecessors to explore and innovate. In the global context of pursuing innovation, these linguistic stories express the Chinese understanding and contemplation of innovation, bringing China closer to the world.

Vivid storytelling is the key to touching hearts. Telling the stories of characters, words and phrases effectively in international Chinese education is not only simple and straightforward but also deeply meaningful. It not only preserves cultural traditions but also promotes contemporary values. This is not only a concrete practice in building the discipline, academic system and discourse system of international Chinese education but also an effective measure to enhance the country's cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture.