What is the furthest year I can go back in time to China and be able to communicate with people?

by xenocratas

Want to know how different the language it was compare to the modern Mandarin, and also the writing/grammar.

Searocksandtrees

hi! not discouraging other replies, but FYI, there's a post on Mandarin in this section of the FAQ (link on sidebar):

section: How far back could I go and still communicate?

post: How far can I go back in time in China with modern Mandarin and still communicate with people in court?