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The All-Too Complicated History of Simplified Chinese

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

Often portrayed as the result of a revolutionary pro-literacy movement, many “simplified” characters have existed for hundreds of years.

Deciphering the Hanzisphere

Simplified, traditional, Japanese ‘kanji’ — the differences between characters are well known. But fonts and typefaces tell their own story of cultural diffusion.

How a 300-Year-Old Dictionary Birthed China’s Comic Sans

Twelve years ago, a young type designer created a rudimentary font based on a photocopy of the Kangxi Dictionary. Within months, it was on everything from restaurant menus to propaganda posters.

Chopsticks, Pixels, and the Pioneers Who Redesigned Modern Chinese

Early efforts to digitize Chinese characters faced an almost insurmountable problem: How do you turn blocky pixels into smooth strokes?

The Fonts That Made China’s Digital Revolution Possible

For centuries, the delicate and elegant Songti typeface dominated Chinese printing presses. But on the early digital era’s low resolution monitors, delicacy could be a drawback.