Jour Fixe for Stiftung ex oriente

"The Forgotten Revolution: China's Language and Script in the 20th Century"

Lecture by Prof. Dr. Peter Kupfer

With the end of the Chinese Empire, one of the most profound yet often overlooked revolutions in modern Chinese history began: the reform of the Chinese language and writing system. This lecture traces the development of these reforms from the early language movements of the 20th century to the language policies of the People's Republic of China. It focuses on the introduction of a nationwide standard language, the development of the Hanyu Pinyin romanization system, and the simplification and standardization of Chinese characters. Through these reforms, Prof. Dr. Peter Kupfer demonstrates how language and writing became key instruments of China's modernization and continue to shape the country's social, cultural and political development today. 

About the Speaker

Prof. Dr. Peter Kupfer is Professor Emeritus of Sinology and former Head of the Department of Chinese Language and Culture at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germersheim Campus. As one of Germany's leading sinologists, he has spent decades researching and teaching Chinese language, linguistics, culture and society. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the promotion of the Chinese language and culture and to Sino-German academic exchange, he has received numerous honours, including the Friendship Award of the People's Republic of China, the country's highest distinction for foreign experts.­­

To participate via Zoom, please register here.

The lecture will be broadcast live on YouTubeat the same time.