The following term paper deals with the question how the standardization of languages developed around the foundation of the Republic of China. In addition to that, the author tries to assess why the first attempt of standardization and its manifest, the guóyīn zìdiǎn failed.
The term paper starts with an overview of the language situation in China at the turn of the 19th century. The author then gives details about the guóyīn zìdiǎn and how it was developed. In the last part, the term paper tries to evaluate why the guó yīn zì diǎn in its first attempt had to fail and why the second attempt, the guó yīn cháng yòng zì huì almost a decade later, was able to function as a first sucessful base for the standardization of the Chinese language. The basis for this evaluation is the change model by John P. Kotter, which defines eight steps for a sucessful change (1995).
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Reasons for the standardization of the Chinese language
- External reasons
- Internal reasons
- First structured attempt to standardize the Chinese language and its manifest: guóyin zìdiǎn
- Decision making
- Content
- Principles
- Theoretical approach to change management: Kotter's eight step-model
- Why did the guóyīn zìdiăn fail in the first place?
- Reasons for the success of the guóyin chángyòng zìhuì
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper investigates the development of language standardization in China around the founding of the Republic of China. It examines the reasons behind the failure of the first standardization attempt, the *guóyīn zìdiǎn*, and contrasts it with the success of the *guóyĩn cháng yòng zì huì*. The paper analyzes the language situation in China at the turn of the 19th century, delves into the development of the *guóyīn zìdiǎn*, and utilizes John P. Kotter's change model to evaluate the success of the standardization efforts.
- The historical context of language standardization in China
- The impact of external factors on language standardization
- The role of internal factors, including diglossia and the lack of a unified language concept
- The development and implementation of the *guóyīn zìdiǎn*
- An analysis of the reasons for the failure of the *guóyīn zìdiǎn* and the success of the *guóyĩn cháng yòng zì huì*
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The paper begins by introducing the concept of diglossia in China, where Classical Chinese co-existed with regional vernaculars. It then explores the factors that contributed to the need for language standardization, including external pressures from Japan and internal issues of diglossia and a lack of a unified language concept. The paper examines the *guóyīn zìdiǎn*, the first structured attempt at standardization, outlining the decision-making process, content, and principles. This chapter also addresses the political context surrounding the *guóyīn zìdiǎn* and the subsequent delay in its official release.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This term paper focuses on the standardization of the Chinese language, particularly the *guóyīn zìdiǎn*, its failure, and the subsequent success of the *guóyĩn cháng yòng zì huì*. Key themes include diglossia, language policy, change management, historical context, and the influence of external and internal factors on language development.
- Citation du texte
- Holger Weinreich (Auteur), 2015, Reasons for failure and implications on later standardization efforts. Standardization of the Chinese language, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/450380
