Year 13 student Hannah’s Captivating Talk on Chinese Characters

At the latest MFL Society event, Hannah T (Year 13) led the audience on a captivating journey through 5,000 years of Chinese script evolution. Beginning with the earliest origins of written characters, Hannah traced how they have shifted in form and meaning across millennia, revealing the remarkable continuity and creativity of the writing system.

She then delved into the cultural symbolism of the character for “woman,” sharing research that highlights the prominence of matrilineage in early Chinese society. This exploration added a compelling anthropological lens to the linguistic history.

The session attracted an engaged audience, sparking lively questions and thoughtful discussion. Hannah’s talk offered a fresh cultural perspective on language, illuminating the depth, nuance, and enduring significance of Chinese script.