Reform of Writing System and the Emergence of Modern Chinese Shorthand
The precursor to modern Chinese shorthand was a proposal for reform of the writing system that borrowed from Western shorthand styles while incorporating elements of the Chinese pronunciation.Initially,this shorthand circulated primarily among the general populace.During the late Qing Dynasty,the government recognized the importance of shorthand as they prepared for constitutional reforms.They attempted to engage Kenichiro Kumazaki to teach"China Shorthand,"but their offer was declined.Concurrently,Cai Xiyong's Chuanyin Kuaizi gained the attention and favor of the Qing government.It was subsequently adapted to better suit the unique characteristics of the Chinese language,serving as the foundational model for shorthand education.This transition marked the formal shift of"shorthand"from a reform of writing system proposal disseminated to the public to a specialized skill serving the needs of the people.This transformation in"shorthand"also signified the decline of alphabetic writing of Chinese characters in the late Qing Dynasty,marking the onset of a new phase in the development of reform of Chinese writing system.
reform of writing systemshorthandChuanyin KuaiziChina Sujishushorthand school