Thoughts and Social Conditions: The Occurrence of the May Fourth Vernacular Movement

Abstract

The May Fourth Vernacular Movement has been called "the most dynamic legacy" of the May Fourth Movement, which officially declared "vernacular" to replace "literary" as the common language of society. It has always been a matter of great concern. This transformation of the language from the old to the new is not simply a linguistic issue, but is firmly engraved with the brand of society and culture, as well as a microcosm of the changing times, providing a window into the social transition between the old and the new in the first half of the twentieth century, or even the entire twentieth century. An examination of the occurrence, development, and impact of the vernacular literary movement can help reveal the true social impact of the Vernacular Movement and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the May Fourth. Reading is a social phenomenon, and looking at the May Fourth Movement through the phenomenon of reading and exploring the socio-historical conditions under which the Vernacular Movement took place provides us with a path to touch history and enter the May Fourth Movement. The vernacular movement originated in the May Fourth New Culture Movement, and its momentum continued from the propositions and practices of the late Qing Dynasty. The vernacular movement in the late Qing Dynasty not only laid the foundation for the May Fourth vernacular movement in popularizing vernacular concepts, experimenting with styles, and creating vernacular creations, but also in preparing for the creation of audience groups and communication environments. At the same time, the prosperity of mass media and a considerable number of reading groups constituted the social and historical conditions for the development of vernacular writing and stimulated the development of the May Fourth vernacular movement. This movement established the use of the vernacular language, and its influence continues today and is still ongoing, as an important part of the transition of Chinese society from traditional to modern.