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    this isn't correct. while its correct that standard written chinese is used so people from all over can read the same text, you could write in colloquial cantonese a harbin speaker will never understand, or write in a colloquial mandarin that a hongkonger will never understand, even with the same swc education. plus classical or literary or even nushu without chinese characters, there are many ways to write in chinese. Commented Feb 25, 2024 at 2:48
  • That isn't the question. The question is about reading Mandarin text. Therefore Cantonese isn't in question here. Furthermore, Mandarin is "official Chinese," not any local form of writing. Commented Feb 26, 2024 at 2:14
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    you are still mistaken-- op said written mandarin, but clearly they meant standard written chinese, which is not the same as colloquially written mandarin. Standard written chinese is the same no matter what chinese you read it out loud in. SWC is not the only way to write chinese. The one taught in school and used formally in daily life does not equal the only. It doesn't make any sense to say that. Commented Feb 26, 2024 at 2:37
  • You even admitted that the OP is "standard written chinese" and not anything local or colloquial. Which is exactly my answer. Commented Feb 26, 2024 at 3:27
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    are you intentionally or accidentally circling? you say in your answer that swc is the only way to write chinese, which is factually very incorrect. it was never a problem of whether op is talking about swc themselves. Commented Feb 28, 2024 at 22:53