Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better WritingQuickAndDirtyTips.comDecoding the Chinese character paradox, with Dr. Charles Kemp
In short
In this bonus episode, Dr. Charles Kemp discusses his research on the evolution of writing systems, particularly the Chinese script. Contrary to the intuitive expectation of simplification, his work reveals that Chinese characters have become visually more complex over millennia. He attributes this to the need for distinctiveness as the number of characters grew and the historical context of their creation. Dr. Kemp also touches on the practical implications of this complexity, such as learnability and potential links to myopia, while noting that system-level complexity (reusable components) has actually decreased. The episode concludes with his recommendations for books that influenced his career and interests, covering computer science, cognitive psychology, and linguistics.
Key takeaways
- Chinese writing script has become visually *more* complex over thousands of years, challenging the common assumption of simplification in language evolution.
- The increase in visual complexity in Chinese characters is partly driven by the need for distinctiveness as the total number of characters in use expanded.
- While visual complexity increased, the system-level complexity of Chinese characters (how they are constructed from reusable strokes) has actually simplified over time.
- The visual complexity of Chinese characters has practical implications, including potential links to higher rates of myopia and historical debates about script reform.
- Dr. Kemp's interdisciplinary background in computer science and psychology informs his linguistic research, offering unique perspectives on language evolution.
Chapters
Introduction & Support
The host introduces a bonus chat with Dr. Charles Kemp, originally released for Grammar Girl supporters, and encourages listeners to support the show on Patreon.
Guest Introduction & Topic
Dr. Charles Kemp from the University of Melbourne is introduced. The host mentions their previous discussion on words for snow and introduces the current topic: Dr. Kemp's earlier research on interesting scripts.
Expected Simplification of Scripts
The host recalls a previous discussion about the simplification of alphabets from hieroglyphics to modern letters, noting the general expectation that things simplify over time, which contrasts with Dr. Kemp's findings.
Chinese Script Complexification
Dr. Kemp explains his research on the Chinese script, initially expecting to find simplification. However, his team discovered that modern Chinese characters are actually visually *more* complex than the earliest existing forms, such as Oracle Bone characters.
Reasons for Increased Complexity
Dr. Kemp discusses two main reasons for this complexification: the increasing number of characters over time, which creates pressure for distinctiveness, and the fact that the earliest surviving characters (Oracle Bones) were carved on hard surfaces, incentivizing simplicity, unlike later forms.
Practical Impact of Script Complexity
The host and Dr. Kemp discuss the practical implications of complex scripts, including potential links to higher rates of myopia in East Asian countries, challenges in learnability, and historical debates about replacing Chinese characters with simpler systems like Pinyin.
Different Measures of Complexity
Dr. Kemp clarifies that while visual complexity increased, other measures, such as system-level complexity (how characters are built from reusable parts), show that Chinese has actually become simpler over time, highlighting different aspects of complexity.
Book Recommendation 1: Hackers
Dr. Kemp's first book recommendation is 'Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution' by Steven Levy, which inspired him to pursue computer science due to its portrayal of early hacking culture and the philosophy of open information.
Book Recommendation 2: The Undoing Project
His second recommendation is 'The Undoing Project' by Michael Lewis, which details the collaboration and eventual breakdown of the partnership between psychologists Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman, focusing on their groundbreaking work in decision-making.
Book Recommendation 3: Words of Wonder & Conclusion
Dr. Kemp's final recommendation is 'Words of Wonder: What Endangered Languages Have to Tell Us' by Nick Evans, a book that explores vocabulary across different endangered languages and how it reflects culture and knowledge. He concludes by sharing his website, charleskemp.com.
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Summary by InboxHiive. Not affiliated with Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. Written with AI from the episode audio; check the episode for exact quotes.