Language is not simply a communication tool and a carrier of thought, and it even shapes one's way of thinking, and the cultural mentality of a nation.
In this summer, Chinese language is the hottest as the weather. From “Chinese Hero” “Chinese Dictation Competition” to “The 6th Chinese Bridge”, many kinds of language programs play on the TV and attract audience. Especially “Chinese Bridge” gathers a lot of attention.
Chinese Bridge holds by Hanban and CCTV started ahead of the Olympic Games in 2008. It has increased from 25 universities of 5 competition zones in the first competition to 200 universities of 27 zones now. Data from “Chinese Bridge” shows that more and more students take part in this international Chinese competition. Now “Chinese Trend” is popular with all over the world.
According to the data, foreign students of studying in China have been 400 thousand. Not only that, Hanban also sets up 400 Confucius Institute and 535 Confucius Classrooms all over the world. They are like seeds of Chinese and have developed in 108 countries all over the world.
The original intention of Chinese Bridge is building a study bridge for worldwide students study in China. It is also an interaction bridge for the construction of teaching Chinese as a foreign language.
China plays a more and more important role in the world, and many foreigners are coming to study Chinese in China. How to learn to achieve the best effect on study and how to increase the number of students are the core issue of teaching Chinese as a foreign language.
Chinese Bridge has built a bridge of cultural dialogue. As a language, Chinese is essentially a vehicle for communication. The most successful communication always contains the depth of cultural understanding.
On the one hand, China currently is rapidly rising in international status and attracting tremendous attention. On the other hand, compared with the influence of economy and politics, the spread of Chinese culture is still lagging behind. Set the literature as an example, Chinese students are familiar with Balzac and Shakespeare. In western countries, few people know Cao Xueqin’s “A Dream in Red Mansions”. It is because the translation of many Chinese literature master works is random, and foreigners are lack of overall understanding to Chinese literature.
Superficially, Chinese modern literature is restricted by translation and language obstacles to spread in the world. In fact, poor translation reflects that apathy and stereotypes of some countries about Chinese culture. However, Chinese is the best medium to break through the obstacles. Chinese Bridge competition also plays a role of medium for Chinese.
Language is not simply a communication tool and a carrier of thought, and it even shapes one's way of thinking, and the cultural mentality of a nation. Only if one knows the culture deposit exsiting in a language can he/she master it; and only if one master a langauge can he/she actually understand a country and a nation's spirit
Hope that the world has more understand but less misunderstanding and prejudice about China, and hope we China can show its splendid culture in world's multicultural conflict and integration