There are billions of speakers of Chinese. Europeans are wanting to learn it in greater numbers. Here, we examine the how and the why.
Mandarin Chinese stands out as the one language everyone should make an effort to learn. It has more native speakers than any other language, at over 900 million, and is only expected to become more widely spoken as the country’s economy develops.
While languages within the Indo-European family, such as Spanish and English, have a wider worldwide audience, Mandarin Chinese’s massive native speaker population puts it in the top place. In this transparent move, South Koreans explain why China is so important to their East Asian economic partners.
Western nations, too, depend on it greatly. Standard addition China’s economic success and its centrality to global supply lines, learning Mandarin is a good investment.
Gaining an understanding of Chinese culture, expanding one’s professional network, meeting new people and seeing the world are just a few of the numerous reasons to study the language. In fact, learning Chinese has never been more relevant than it is right now. There are of the many reasons why Chinese can be studied which are as follows:
Travel to China:
The most significant advantage of studying Mandarin is that it enables you to explore the fascinating nation of China on your own. If you are not the average tourist, take the opportunity to study Mandarin, and you will discover the “true China” on your travels. Even if you have poor language abilities, locals will appreciate your efforts and will go out of their way to greet you.
Career Opportunities:
China’s rising economic might has been widely reported on for decades. More than 800 million people have been pulled out of poverty as a result of the country’s constant annual growth rate of approximately 10%, as reported by the World Bank.
Increasing numbers of businesses in the nation are now able to function despite the fact that their employees speak different languages due to the country’s newly established commercial ties with the West.
Mandarin-speaking graduates may work in business, diplomacy, engineering, science, law, philosophy, political science, technology, finance, tourism, translation, and more.
A landmark study of languages in the U.S. employment market showed that Chinese is the most-requested language after Spanish by employers and has had the fastest increase. Between 2010 and 2015, Chinese-language job advertisements climbed by 230%. Chinese speakers can help domestic firms, organizations, and government agencies advertise to and service Chinese-speaking populations.
Nearly two-thirds of the 3 million Chinese-speaking U.S. citizens have inadequate English ability. Knowing Mandarin Chinese is therefore very advantageous if you want a job that requires interaction with Chinese clients or vendors. You may benefit from learning Chinese even if you have no plans to relocate your company to a nation where people speak Chinese.
Boost your CV:
By knowing Chinese, you may be essential to the accomplishment of a project in China and stand out for your brilliance.
Job hunting? Your resume might be lacking. Adding Chinese to that document may change everything.
Even though companies don’t need foreign language proficiency, it shows you’re a devoted learner with intellectual capacity. You’ll be an useful team member for most firms, particularly those with China-related initiatives or collaborations.
Work in China:
China has welcomed international investment and economic collaboration by opening itself to the globe. As a result, there is a huge need for professionals who can connect this new China with the rest of the globe.
The Culture:
Learning Chinese reveals one of the world’s wealthiest and oldest civilizations. When you study Chinese, you learn about Chinese history, culture, religious beliefs, and aesthetic traditions. The more you learn, the more you’ll grasp China’s history and present.
There are thousands of years of history and culture in China. Due to the country’s diversity, even under the current Communist Party’s administration, it is probably not helpful to refer to a singular “Chinese” culture.
In reality, China has played a pivotal role in shaping global history. Paper, printing, gunpowder, and the compass are widely agreed upon by Sinologists to have travelled from China to Europe through the Silk Road.
Although amazing in scope, this offers a rather general picture of China’s cultural impact. Understanding the significance of this region requires an understanding of the local language.
The ability to speak Mandarin will look good on your resume since it shows that you are well-rounded and prepared to go the extra mile to communicate effectively.
The Literature:
Chinese literature has been around for thousands of years. Early literature centered on Confucius were among the most influential, although subsequent poetry and classical fiction would progress a variety of literary styles (well before the Enlightenment would precipitate a similar Golden Age in Europe).
Chinese literature, both ancient and modern, originates from a very different cultural setting than Western literature. However, in order to really understand it, one must read it in its original language. There is also a more practical barrier: many masterpieces of Chinese literature have not been translated into English, therefore one must admire them as they are.
If one wants to comprehend modern China, one must first understand Confucianism. According to Professor May-Tan Mullins of the University of Nottingham’s China Campus, the rebirth of Confucian ideas may be “more than merely governmental propaganda.”
The Food:
Chinese cuisine, or at least a Western influence version of it, is popular in Britain. Learning Chinese can help one understand the menu and make more informed decisions. Unsurprisingly, “chow-mein” refers to stir-fried noodles. Lo-mein is Chinese for “tossed noodles.”
As visitors gain knowledge of the menu, one can eventually feel more at ease ordering something that is a little less familiar. One could even grow to like Chinese food that doesn’t come packaged in a little cardboard box.
