Character-Building: Chinese Writing

① The language's traditional script has long been under pressure.

② In 1955, the Communist Party introduced simpler characters, written with fewer strokes, in the hope of boosting literacy.

③ These are now used for nearly all writing on the mainland.

④ But the old-fashioned script continues to be the main writing method in Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas enclaves, where its preservation is a source of local pride.

⑤ Lai Zi Na Li, a Taiwanese craft business, sells sets of embossed stamps that create traditional Chinese words when put together.

⑥ Taiwanese techy types are making inroads, too.

⑦ Zihun is an app in which players assume the identities of ancient Chinese literary figures; users are tested on how quickly and accurately they can complete traditional characters.

⑧ Such efforts may ensure that the old style of writing is preserved.

⑨ But given the global rush to master the language as used on the mainland, that will become increasingly difficult.

▍生词好句

character-building /ˈkarəktə/: 构字方法；文字构成；品格培养 (这里是双关)

script /skrɪpt/: n. 文字；手写

be under pressure: 有压力；承受压力

stroke /strəʊk/: n. 笔画

in the hope of: 怀着……的希望

boost literacy /bu:st/ /ˈlɪt(ə)rəsi/: 提高文化水平

on the mainland: 在大陆

overseas enclave /ˈɛnkleɪv/: 海外聚集地 (文中指华裔聚集地) (a portion of territory surrounded by a larger territory whose inhabitants are culturally or ethnically distinct.)

preservation /prɛzəˈveɪʃ(ə)n/: n. 保存；保留

emboss stamps /ɪmˈbɒs/: 浮雕印章

techy type: 技术咖；科技界人士

make inroads into /ˈɪnrəʊd/: 进入、杀入……领域

assume (the) identity: 担任身份；扮演角色