Edward Fernandez - Assignment # 1

1). I chose the hanzi "hei" 黒 which means black.

2). The link I used was http://www2.gol.com/users/jpc/Japan/Kanji/history.htm

3). Interesting facts

• (1100 - 221 B.C.) Over time scribes began to neglect the origins of the actual characters creating newer characters leaving out bits and pieces, because they were to lazy to write the entire character out.
• Tang () dynasty (618-907 A.D.) Another factor that caused the change of characters is the use of brushes instead of using bone.
• Modern time: In Japan only a minimum of 2,000 kanji are needed to read a newspaper and in China 4,000 to 8,000 are needed in order to read a newspaper.