1.6 BILLION PEOPLE SPEAKS CHINESE
By: James Kamara-Manneh
The Chinese Confucius Institute of Fourah Bay College together with the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone has on the 20th April, 2020 joined the People Republic of China to celebrate the Chinese Language Day with the theme: Chinese Language Together for a Bright Future.
It is believed that more than one billion people speak Chinese as their first language — that’s more than any other population in the world and it is spoken by over 1.6 billion people. More than 180 countries and region in the world have introduced Chinese language learning into their societies and over 70n countries have incorporated Chinese and teaching into their national education system. From research more than 20 million people out of China are learning Chinese and the cumulative number of Chinese learners and users abroad is close to 200 million.
UNESCO (part of the United Nations) first created Chinese Language Day in 2010 to celebrate Chinese as one of the six official languages of the United Nations. The day also celebrates Cangjie, who invented Chinese characters about 5,000 years ago. Legend says that when Cangjie finished, the gods rained grain upon the earth.
Speaking at the program the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Hu Zhangliang said the day is celebrated as the 13th United Nation Chinese Language Day which is annually celebrated, and also thank President Bio for putting premium to China-Sierra Leone relations.
Ambassador Hu further elucidate that language is one of the most remarkable creations of human being, and the Chinese Language is one of the oldest in the world with a thousand years history. He said the Chinese Language is an important symbol of the Chinese civilization and an important carrier of the Chinese culture.
“…Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out that people are the best bridge for exchange and mutual learning among civilization. Closer people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning is a sure way to eliminate estrangement and promote mutual understanding among nations,” he quoted.
The Ambassador further suggested ways one could easily grasp and articulate well with fluency to foreign languages with emphasis to the Chinese Language. He said with good command of Chinese language, people can better understand the brilliant Chinese culture characterized by a world view of harmony between humanity and nature, a global view of coordination and cooperation among all countries, a social view of unity but not uniformity, and a moral outlook of kindness and righteousness.
He said learning the Chinese Language with good command on it will help foster good trade relationship and can conduct all kinds of exchange with the Chinese people.
He promise that the embassy and the Chinese government will continue to deepen educational and cultural exchange with all Sierra Leonean side, and more Sierra Leoneans will be invited to China to experience its charm and culture when Covid-19 is being subdued.
Ambassador Hu concludes by appreciated the endless efforts of the Confucius Institutes for their voluntary contributions in providing supports worldwide in leaning Chinese language.
The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Memunatu Pratt applauded the Chinese Ambassador and the Chinese Society for their many services towards the growth of Education, politic, infrastructure, culture, health and many more.
Madam Pratt added that language is the hallmark for every nation and emigrate needs to have knowledge of at least three of the most international language inclusive Chinese for improving tourism. She called on the Chinese Embassy to continue promoting culture and tourism as that will foster protecting the heritage of both countries.
Many other prominent personalities graced the occasion and made speeches amongst them were the Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Hon Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, and the Vice Chancellor &Principal of the University of Sierra Leone, Professor Foday Sahr.
The program was climaxed with Chinese performances such as, Chinese Martial Arts, dance, songs, Q&A, and many others.
