漢字敎育 效率性 提高를 위한 略字化의 必要性

Abstract

This study aims to compile controversies and present my personal opinions regarding the measures to promote efficiency of classical Chinese education in Korea on the occasion of the Ministry of Education's declaration to intend introduction of Chinese character for certain number of words in the elementary school textbooks starting from 2018. For this aim, reference was made to the backgrounds, chronological processes and outcomes of the classic Chinese education policies in China and Japan both of which succeeded in simplifying Chinese character. Besides, an effort was made in this paper to study the necessity of simplifying Chinese character based on the results from the survey conducted to W University students to check their knowledge of Chinese character. Among the three countries which are using Chinese character, China and Japan have successfully simplified Chinese character through the writing revolutions. China, for instance, began using simplified letters and Japan decided to use certain number of common Chinese character in abbreviated forms. In contrast, however, Korea has continued to use the traditional Chinese character of the shape found in Kangxijidian (康熙字典). China, the country of origin of Chinse character, embarked on simplifying its letters with a slogan to eliminate the inconvenience caused when using the traditional letters and to cut down illiteracy of its people. Japan, assuming that colossal numbers of Chinese character and their complicated usages would be the source of troubles in the lives of its people and might decrease their cultural level, took decisive action for limiting the usage of Chinese character in certain numbers and simplifying some complex Chinese character. I think we, Korea, too have to simplify classic Chinese character used commonly in our daily lives in an attempt to drive out difficulties generated from the use of complicated traditional Chinese character. It is a matter of course that simplification of Chinese character can not simply be a direct solution to all kinds of problems connected with classic Chinese character education. Besides, we can not deny the assertion from certain part of our society that it would be very difficult and inconvenient to read classic literature without knowing traditional Chinese character. No particular hardship would, however, seem to result from simplification of Chinese character, if they are not exceedingly simplified or shortened, and as far as problems, once occurred, are immediately corrected and complemented, because the effects of simplification of Chinese character must be bigger than not. Simplified Chinese character could also bring greater efficiency in teaching students to understand Chinese character more easily and making people use them more conveniently. They will also help intensify international exchanges and smooth communications with neighboring countries. In conclusion, it should definitely be suggested to simplify Chinese character in Korea without delay and it would be worth of studying this issue in more depth.