Chinese Language and Characters as the Cultural Foundation of the Chinese Nation

Chinese language and characters,a carrier of Chinese ideology and culture,have been inheriting the evolution of Chinese history and civilizations.After some historical stages like pictography,the Chinese characters have come to the concise form as an abstract symbol,presenting a profound historical background and the aesthetic of moderation,which is just the thinking way and values of the Chinese nation.As a written system to record Chinese language,Chinese characters have the integrative features of shapes,sounds and meanings,reflecting both the ideographic functions and the people's inner voice through the ages:philosophical works,literary works and daily reading can be fulfilled with the characters.The inheritance and development of the Chinese characters not only form a deep cultural identity for the successors,but also make strong connections among individuals,families and the nation.Since the 20 th century,some of the so-called cultural elites have been rejecting Chinese characters with the standpoint of national nihilism,regarding Western language as the core languages.Chinese language and characters hold together the roots of Chinese civilizations.Their scientific,artistic,historical,national and international natures represent the highlights of Chinese culture.They should be treated as the foundation and soul of the Chinese nation,eventually protected and inherited by the Chinese nation.