Decoding the Chinese character paradox, with Dr. Charles Kemp

About this episode

This episode features Dr. Charles Kemp discussing the increasing complexity of the Chinese writing system over time.

1203. In this bonus discussion with Dr. Charles Kemp, we look at why the Chinese writing system has actually become visually more complex over thousands of years. Dr. Kemp explains how his team used "perimetric complexity" to measure characters and why the need for distinctiveness in a growing vocabulary overrides the natural drive for simplicity. This episode ran for Grammarpaloozians in January 2026. To get more bonus content, visit Patreon.com/GrammarGirl . Find Dr. Kemp at https://charleskemp.com/ . 🔗  Join the Grammar Girl Patreon. 🔗  Share your familect recording in   Speakpipe  or by leaving a voicemail at 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475) 🔗  Watch my   LinkedIn Learning writing courses . 🔗  Subscribe to the   newsletter . 🔗  Find an edited   transcript . 🔗  Get   Grammar Girl books . | HOST: Mignon Fogarty | Grammar Girl is part of  the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network . Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend Director of Podcast: Holly Hutchings Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes, Rebekah Sebastian Podcast Associate: Maram Elnagheeb | Theme music by&nbsp…

People in this episode

Host: Mignon Fogarty

Guest: Dr. Charles Kemp

Topics covered

• Chinese writing system
• perimetric complexity
• language complexity
• vocabulary growth
• distinctiveness in writing

Keywords

• Chinese characters
• writing system
• language
• complexity
• vocabulary

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: QuickAndDirtyTips.com, Grammar Girl, Patreon.com, LinkedIn Learning, Acast

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