April 20

Chinese Language Day

Get ready to brush up on your Chinese skills and immerse yourself in the rich culture of China this Chinese Language Day!

Yearly Date

April 20

Observed in

China

Introduction

Get ready to celebrate the beauty and richness of the Chinese language on April 20 for Chinese Language Day! This holiday was established by the United Nations in 2010 to promote cultural diversity and multilingualism, as well as to honor the contributions of Chinese culture to the world. Did you know that Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world with over 1 billion speakers? From ancient poetry to modern-day films, the Chinese language has a long and fascinating history. So why not take this day to learn some new words and phrases or try your hand at writing in Chinese characters? It's sure to be a fun and rewarding experience!

Chinese Language Day Timeline

3000 BC

Origin of Chinese Script

Ancient Chinese script, also known as Oracle Bone Script, was found carved into tortoise shells and animal bones dating back to around 3000 BC making it one of the earliest forms of written expression.

221 BC

Standardization of Chinese Script

During the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), Prime Minister Li Si standardized the Chinese characters across the different provinces, leading to what we know as Traditional Chinese characters today.

581

Creation of Simplified Chinese

In the Sui Dynasty (581-618), the government introduced block printing which led to a simplified form of the Chinese characters.

1956

Adoption of Pinyin

In 1956, the Chinese government officially adopted Pinyin, a romanization system for Chinese characters, to help promote literacy and make Chinese more accessible to foreigners.

2010

UN's Chinese Language Day

In 2010, the United Nations declared April 20 as Chinese Language Day, aiming to celebrate and promote the cultural diversity and multilingualism of the Chinese language and culture.

How to Celebrate Chinese Language Day

1 Attend a language exchange event

Join a local Chinese language exchange event where you can practice speaking Chinese with native speakers and learn more about the culture.

2 Try out a new Chinese dish

Celebrate Chinese Language Day by trying out a new Chinese dish or cooking your favorite Chinese meal at home. Don't forget to use chopsticks!

3 Learn a new phrase or word in Chinese

Expand your Chinese vocabulary by learning a new phrase or word on Chinese Language Day. You can impress your friends and family with your new language skills!

4 Watch a Chinese film or TV show

Spend the day watching a Chinese film or TV show with subtitles to improve your listening and reading skills in Chinese.

5 Visit a local Chinatown

Take a trip to your nearest Chinatown to immerse yourself in Chinese culture, try authentic food, and practice your language skills with locals. Don't forget to snap some photos!

Why We Love Chinese Language Day

It celebrates a beautiful and ancient language

Chinese Language Day is a day to honor the rich history and beauty of the Chinese language. As one of the oldest living languages in the world, Chinese holds a special significance and cultural importance that should be acknowledged and celebrated.

It promotes diversity and understanding

By celebrating Chinese Language Day, we are also promoting diversity and understanding among different cultures. Learning about another culture's language opens up opportunities for communication and connection, fostering respect and acceptance for one another.

It's an opportunity to learn something new

Learning a new language can be daunting, but it can also be incredibly fulfilling. Celebrating Chinese Language Day is a chance for non-native speakers to dive into this beautiful language and appreciate its intricate characters, tones, and grammar - who knows, you may even pick up some new words or phrases!