Chinese Characters and Cultural Identity: A Cultural Interpretation from “Standardization of the Writing System” to Modern Script Reforms

Abstract

As the foundation of Chinese culture and the crystallization of the wisdom of the Chinese nation, Chinese characters have evolved over thousands of years while consistently maintaining national unity and cultural cohesion. This article explores the historical journey of Chinese characters, from the Qin Dynasty’s policy of “standardization of the writing system” to the contemporary script reform and the modern “unification of pronunciation” initiative, highlighting their role in fostering national integration and linguistic unity. In the face of globalization and digitalization, contemporary reforms of Chinese characters balance the demands of traditional culture with the needs of modernization, while digital transformation offers new opportunities for the innovative development and international dissemination of Chinese characters. The evolution of Chinese characters is not only a linguistic history but also a cultural and identity narrative. Future research should focus on innovating digital-supported dissemination methods, formulating multilingual policies that maintain balance, and developing cross-cultural communication strategies for Chinese characters in a globalized world, thereby deepening the understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture and enhancing its global influence.