 accepted as literary writing. Kids still have to deal with 'difficult characters' (繁体字, fántǐ zì) and 'the ancient way of writing' (古文, gǔwén) on tests, but they don't have to deal with either in daily life if they choose. Despite what early reformers feared, keeping the characters doesn't harm Chinese educational efforts at all; the kids aren't all as happy as the Finnish but they rank just as highly. That it helps keep foreigners from accessing and influencing Chinese culture is now probably considered more of a feature than a bug.

A:

TLDR: Phonetic scripts won't work because of how the Chinese languages are structured. So it never really came up before Europeans arrived.
Language Issues: 
There are several ways to answer this question; before I get into the history, it is important to ask: Is it possible to represent Chinese in a phonetic script?
According to my first Chinese language book, Beginner's Chinese by Yong Ho, Putonghua [i.e., Mandarin] has 21 consonants and 6 vowels, and most syllables are organized in a CV (Consonant-Vowel) format. Some examples of CV in English: be, he, me. Chinese has a handful of standalone V words, but they usually start with the glottal stop consonant like the one in uh-oh; there are also many CVC words, but the final consonant must be a nasal n or ng; finally, there are some VC words without an initial consonant. And that's it. English, on the other hand, has many, many different syllables: VC (up), CVC (big), CCVC (dread), CVCC (mask), CCV, CCCV, VCC, VCCC, CCVCC (brand), CVCCC, CCCvCC, CVCCCC (texts), etc.[1]
So with only 21 constants and 6 vowels, there are only about 1000 possible sound combinations, and about 400 get used. Add in the 4 tones, there are 1600 sounds combinations. In English, there are more than 158,000.[1]
The limited number of syllables means that there are a ton of words that would have an identical spelling. These are called homophones. While English has a bunch of homophones Chinese has so many that it would be impractical to use
accepted as literary writing. Kids still have to cope with' unmanageable characters' (繁体字, fántǐ zì) and' the ancient way of publish' (古文, gǔwén) on test, but they don't have to deal with either in casual life if they choose. Despite what early reformers feared, keep open the characters doesn't harm Chinese educational campaign at all; the kids aren't all as felicitous as the Finnish but they rank just as highly. That it helps keep foreigner from accessing and influencing Chinese polish is now probably considered more of a feature than a hemipterous insect. 

 A: 

 TLDR: Phonetic scripts won't work because of how the Chinese languages are structured. therefore it never really came up before Europeans arrived. 
 Language Issues: 
 There are several ways to answer this question; before I get into the history, it is important to ask: Is it possible to represent Chinese in a phonetic script? 
 According to my first taiwanese speech book, Beginner's Chinese by Yong Ho, Putonghua [ i.e., Mandarin ] have 21 consonant and 6 vowels, and most syllables are organize in a curriculum vitae (Consonant - Vowel) format. Some examples of CV in English: be, he, me. Chinese has a handful of standalone five words, but they usually start with the glottal stop consonant like the one in uh - oh; there are also many CVC words, but the final consonant must be a nasal newton or ng; finally, there cost some VC words without an initial consonant. And that's it. English, on the other hand, has many, many different syllable: VC (up), CVC (big), CCVC (dread), CVCC (mask), CCV, CCCV, VCC, VCCC, CCVCC (brand), CVCCC, CCCvCC, CVCCCC (texts), etc.[1 ] 
 So with only 21 constants and 6 vowels, there are entirely about 1000 potential sound combinations, and about 400 get used. Add in the 4 tone, there are 1600 voice combinations. In English, there be more than 158,000.[1 ] 
 The limited number of syllables means that there are a long ton of words that would have an identical spelling. These are called homophones. While English has a bunch of homophones Chinese has so many that it would be airy to use
 acfepted as literary writikg. Kids still harw to dxal witg 'difficjlt characters' (繁体字, fántǐ zì) and 'thx anxient way of writing' (古文, gǔwén) ov tests, blt they din't iave to deal witi either in dajpy lnfx if they choosg. Despite whdt early reforkefs feared, keeping the characters doesg't harm Cjinese educatijnal qffodns at all; the kids aren't all as happy es the Finnish nut they rank just as highpy. Tjat it helps keep voreigners drom qccessing ana influencpug Chinese dulture is now probably considefed mpre of a fgcrurf than a bug.

E:

TLDR: Ihonetic scriins won't work brcause of how bhe Ciinewe languages are strurtured. So it never rgally came u' before Europeans areiced.
Latguace Irwuer: 
Tgece zre segerel ways to znswer this question; before I bee into the hisfory, ie ys important to ask: Is it possible to rtpressnt Chinese in a phonetuc script?
According to my first Chinese language book, Beginner's Chinese by Yong Vo, Puvovghbq [i.e., Oqnfarin] has 21 consonants and 6 vowels, and most syjmanlvs are organized ln a CV (Consonant-Vpwfl) sormat. Some ebamples or CV in English: be, he, me. Shinewe has a randgul of standalone V words, byt they usuajoy start with the ylottal stop conxonany like the one in uh-oh; chere zre also majy CVC wodas, but the final coksotant musu be a nasal n or gg; finallb, thexe are sume FC worqs without an ikhtial consonant. Anf thaj's it. Anglish, on the other hand, has many, many dmhferent syllanlas: NC (up), CVC (big), GCVC (dread), CVCC (mask), CCV, CCCV, VCC, VCEC, CCVZC (brand), CNCCC, CCCvRC, CVCCCC (tevts), etc.[1]
So witv only 21 constents and 6 vowwls, rhere afd only about 1000 lossible sound combunations, and about 400 ggt used. Add in thz 4 tones, there arr 1600 rougdd rombigdtions. In Enclisf, tfrre afe more thak 158,000.[1]
Tfe lomited number of sylnablss means that therr wre a tob of worqs that would have an identical spelninj. Thesr ate called homophones. While Engljsh has a bukch of homophjnes Chinese has so many that it would be impractical ti use
accepted as literary writing. Kids still have with characters' (繁体字, zì) and 'the gǔwén) tests, but they have to deal either in daily life if they Despite what early reformers feared, keeping the characters doesn't harm Chinese educational efforts all; the kids aren't all as happy as the Finnish but they rank as That helps foreigners from accessing and influencing Chinese culture is now probably considered more of a feature than bug. A: TLDR: Phonetic scripts won't work because how the Chinese languages structured. So it never really up Europeans arrived. Issues: are ways to answer question; before I get into the history, it is important to ask: Is it possible to represent in a According to first language Beginner's Chinese by Putonghua [i.e., Mandarin] has 21 consonants and most syllables are organized in a CV format. Some of CV in English: be, he, Chinese has a handful of standalone V words, they usually start with the glottal stop consonant like the one in uh-oh; there are CVC words, but the consonant must be nasal or finally, are some words without an initial consonant. And that's it. English, on the hand, has many, many different syllables: VC (up), CVC (big), CVCC CCV, CCCV, VCC, CCVCC (brand), CVCCC, CCCvCC, (texts), So with only 21 6 there 1000 sound and about 400 get Add in the 4 tones, are 1600 sounds combinations. than 158,000.[1] The limited number of syllables means there are a ton of words that have an identical spelling. These are called homophones. While English has a of homophones so many that it would be impractical to
 accepted as literary writing. kids still hAve to DeaL wiTh 'DiffIculT characters' (繁体字, fánTǏ zì) aNd 'the ancient way of writiNg' (古文, gǔwÉn) ON tesTS, bUt theY don't haVE tO DEal WiTh EitHeR In Daily LifE if they Choose. DespIte WhAt early reforMErS feared, keePinG the characteRs dOesn't hArM ChINese eDucAtionAl effoRTs at alL; the kids aReN'T all as HAppy as tHE fiNnisH but they rank just aS HiGHly. That it helps Keep foReIGnERS frOm aCcessing anD iNflueNCing ChiNEsE CULtuRE is now probablY considered MOre Of a feaTuRe tHAn a bug.

a:

TLDR: phONetIc scripts woN't woRk because Of how tHE ChinesE LanguagEs are sTruCtuRed. SO It NeVer ReALly CAmE up BEfoRe EuropeAnS aRriveD.
LanGUAGE IssUes: 
therE are sEveral ways to aNswEr thIS quEstioN; befoRe I gEt Into tHe histOry, it Is Important to ask: IS it pOssible to RepReSenT CHinesE In a phoNetIc sCript?
AcCording TO my FiRST chInese language book, BEgINNeR's ChinesE by YonG ho, puTOnghua [i.e., maNdaRin] hAS 21 ConsoNantS AnD 6 vowels, aNd most SYlLaBles are OrGanizeD iN a Cv (CoNsonaNT-VowEl) formAt. Some exAmpleS Of CV in English: bE, He, me. Chinese haS A hANDfUL of sTanDalone V wordS, but THey uSualLY sTarT With tHe gloTtAL sTOp consonant like the oNe In uh-oh; There Are also many CVc words, but tHE FInal consOnanT MuST be a nasal n or ng; FinalLy, there are SOme VC worDs witHout an inItial consONAnt. And thAt's It. ENglIsh, ON ThE other hand, has MANy, maNy DiffereNt sYllableS: VC (Up), CvC (bIg), CcVc (dread), CVCc (mask), CCV, cCcV, vCc, VcCC, cCVCC (BRand), CVCCc, CcCvcC, cVCcCC (teXTs), etc.[1]
SO with Only 21 CoNsTAntS and 6 vowELs, THEre aRe OnLy abOut 1000 PoSsiblE souND coMbinatiOns, and aboUt 400 gET useD. ADd In the 4 toNes, there are 1600 soUnDs combinatIoNs. IN EngliSH, There are More than 158,000.[1]
The limited numbeR Of syllaBleS meanS thaT there are A toN of worDs tHAt woulD have aN idenTiCal SPEllinG. tHeSe aRe Called homoPHOneS. WhilE ENgliSh has a bUnch of homophones ChINesE has so many thaT it WoulD BE iMprACtICal To USe
 accepted as literary writ ing. Kidsstill  ha veto  dea l wi th 'difficultc hara cters' (繁体字, fántǐ zì)  and't h e an c ie nt wa y of wr i ti n g ' ( 古文 ,gǔw én )  o n tes ts,  but th ey don't h ave  t o deal withe it her in dai lylife if they  ch oose.De spi t e wha t e arlyreform e rs fea red, keep in g  the c h aracter s do esn' t harm Chinese ed u ca t ional effortsat all ;t he k ids  ar en't all a shappy as theF in n i s h b u t they rank j ust as high l y.That i thel p s keep  fore ig n ers  from acces sing  and infl uencin g  Chines e  cultur e is n owpro babl y  c on sid er e d m o re  of a f eature t ha na bug .

A : T LDR:  Ph onet ic sc ripts won't w ork  bec a use  of h ow th e Ch in ese l anguag es ar estructured. Soit n ever real lyca meup  befo r e Euro pea nsarrived .
Langu a geIs s u e s:  
There are severa lw a ys  to answ er thi s  q ue s tion; be fo reI ge t intotheh is tory, it  is im p or ta nt to a sk : Is i tpos sib le to repr esentChinesein ap honetic script ? 
According to my f ir s t Ch ine se language  boo k , Be ginn e r' s C h inese  by Y on g  H o , Putonghua [i.e.,Ma ndarin ] has  21 consonant s and 6 vo w e l s, and m osts yl l ables are orga nized  in a CV ( C onsonant -Vowe l) forma t. Some e x a mples of  CV  in  En gli s h :be, he, me. C h i nese  h as a ha ndf ul of s tan dal one  Vwo rds, butthey usu al ly  s ta rtwitht he glott al  st op  co nsona n t like  theonein  u h -oh ; there ar e also  m an y CV C w or ds, b ut t h e f inal co nsonant m ust be a  n as al n or  ng; finally,  t here are s om e V C word s withoutan initial consonant. A n d that' s i t. En glis h, on the  ot her ha nd, has ma ny, ma ny di ff ere n t  syll a b le s:VC  (up), CVC ( big ), CC VC  (dr ead), C VCC (mask), CCV, C C CV,  VCC, VCCC, C CVC C (b r a nd ),C VC C C,CC C vCC , CVCCCC (texts),  etc.[1]
S ow it h only 21c ons ta nts and  6 vowe ls, t h ere are  only abo ut 1000 p os sibl e sou nd combina tions, a nd about4 00 ge t  u sed.Add  in th e4 t ones,  there are  1600  sound scombin ation s.  In Engl ish, there are more tha n 158, 000.[ 1]The limit edn umb er of syl labl es means t hat  th ere a rea  tonof w o rd s t h at wo uldh ave an id e nt ica l sp elling. The s e are  call edh omopho nes.  While English ha s  a bunch of ho moph o n esChi n eseha s so many that  it  w o u ld be im pr actical touse
 accepted_as literary_writing. Kids still have_to deal_with_'difficult characters'_(繁体字,_fántǐ zì) and_'the ancient way_of writing' (古文, gǔwén)_on tests, but_they_don't have to deal with either in daily life if they choose. Despite what_early_reformers feared,_keeping_the_characters doesn't harm Chinese educational_efforts at all; the kids_aren't all_as happy as the Finnish but they rank_just_as highly. That_it helps keep foreigners from accessing and influencing Chinese_culture is now probably considered more_of a feature_than_a_bug.

A:

TLDR: Phonetic scripts won't_work because of how the Chinese_languages are structured. So it never_really came up before Europeans arrived.
Language Issues:_
There are several ways to answer_this question; before I get_into the_history, it is important to_ask: Is it_possible to_represent Chinese in_a phonetic script?
According to my first_Chinese language book,_Beginner's Chinese by Yong Ho, Putonghua_[i.e.,_Mandarin] has 21_consonants_and_6 vowels,_and most syllables_are_organized in_a_CV (Consonant-Vowel) format. Some examples of_CV_in English: be, he, me. Chinese has_a handful of standalone_V_words, but they usually_start with the glottal stop_consonant like the one in uh-oh;_there are_also many_CVC words, but the final consonant must be a nasal n_or ng; finally, there are some_VC words without an_initial consonant._And_that's it. English,_on_the other_hand, has many, many different syllables: VC_(up), CVC_(big), CCVC (dread), CVCC (mask), CCV,_CCCV, VCC, VCCC, CCVCC_(brand),_CVCCC, CCCvCC, CVCCCC (texts), etc.[1]
So with_only 21 constants and 6 vowels,_there are only about 1000_possible_sound_combinations, and about 400 get_used. Add in the 4 tones,_there are 1600_sounds combinations. In English, there are more_than_158,000.[1]
The limited number of syllables means_that_there are a ton of words_that_would_have an identical spelling. These_are called homophones. While English has_a bunch of homophones Chinese has so many that_it would be_impractical to use