What is the most recent literary or classical Chinese text in the CJKV nations?
Classical Chinese, or 文言文 (wényánwén), has been a foundational medium for scholarly and official writings across East Asia for centuries. In the modern era, its use has significantly declined, but there have been notable instances of its application in recent times within the CJKV (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam) nations.
China:
In contemporary China, Classical Chinese is primarily reserved for ceremonial or scholarly purposes. A significant modern endeavor is the compilation of the Ruzang (儒藏), or Confucian Canon. This ongoing project aims to compile all known classical works on Confucianism, encompassing texts from China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Initiated by Peking University philosopher Tang Yijie, the project is expected to comprise more than 5,000 works with approximately a billion Chinese characters upon its completion, which is anticipated by 2025. citeturn0search10
Japan:
In Japan, while Classical Chinese (kanbun) is no longer in common use, it remains a subject of academic study. Institutions like the Cornell Classical Chinese Colloquium explore a variety of classical Chinese texts and styles, including premodern texts linked to classical Chinese in Japanese literature. citeturn0search0
Korea:
Similarly, in Korea, the use of Classical Chinese has diminished, but it continues to be studied within academic circles. Historical records, such as the Joseon Wangjo Sillok (조선왕조실록), or Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty, were written in Classical Chinese and are subjects of scholarly research. citeturn0search11
Vietnam:
In Vietnam, the traditional use of Classical Chinese (Hán văn) has largely been replaced by the Vietnamese alphabet (Quốc Ngữ). However, historical texts and records in Classical Chinese are still studied for academic and cultural purposes. The Ruzang project also includes Vietnamese Confucian classics, highlighting the shared cultural heritage. citeturn0search10
In summary, while the everyday use of Classical Chinese has waned across the CJKV nations, scholarly projects like the Ruzang demonstrate a continued, albeit specialized, engagement with this classical language in the modern era.
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