ABSTRACT
The language of China is without doubt the most imperfect, clumsy and awkward system ever invented for intercourse between men, for not only is the " spoken " language quite different from the " written " one, but the same word may have a dozen different significations. The " tones ' add greatly to the difficulty of learning Chinese, but they are absolutely necessary as indicating to a listener which of several meanings a speaker intends to convey by the use of a particular word, for according to the one employed that same word may have several totally different significations. To supply the need of a universal medium of communication, an official dialect has been elaborated called the Kuan Hua, which all officials are required to learn, and in which all public business is conducted. The Kuan Hua is also employed in court circles and in the great competitive examinations.
