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> Increasing literacy by slightly modifying the writing system is why the PRC created Simplified Chinese in the first place While it was an interesting experim
by seszett 12y ago
> Increasing literacy by slightly modifying the writing system is why the PRC created Simplified Chinese in the first place
While it was an interesting experiment, the fact that Taiwan still has a higher literacy rate than Mainland China, and one comparable to the other developed countries using the latin alphabet, shows that traditional Chinese isn't that much of a hindrance.
- MichaelGG 12y agoHow does that show it? In a developed country, even if literacy is more difficult, we'd expect the education system to have compensated or calibrated for it to achieve an overall good rate. If schoolkids must spend an extra 10% overall time due to increased literacy requirements, that's really but gonna show up on the overall literacy rates, right?
- seszett 12y agoIf that doesn't show up on literacy rates, or GDP, or crime rate or... can you really consider it a hindrance?
- MichaelGG 12y agoSure! For instance, more kids might commit suicide due to increased stress. In response, more people may work harder, and culture might shift to view this as virtuous thing, so those general numbers might still fair alright.
- seanflyon 12y agoIf one factor isn't so terrible that is overcomes all advantages of a wealthy educated society, can you really consider it a hindrance?
- CmonDev 12y agoTaiwan has a much higher rate of english speakers as well. Hence the higher literacy rate.
- seszett 12y agoLiteracy rate has not much to do with English speakers, as speaking English does not help people read and write Chinese.