A Study of the Status Quo and Prospect of Chinese English in the Background of English as a Lingua Franca文献综述

A Literature Review of

A Study of the Status Quo and Prospect of Chinese English in the Background of English as a Lingua Franca

Introduction

There is no doubt that English is todayrsquo;s universal language, which can also be called lsquo;global languagersquo;. A huge number of people from all over the world are learning English every day. China has the largest population in the world, and at the same time there are a growing number of people who learn English every year. Compared with other areas, China has a unique English study pattern as is deeply influenced by Confucianism. As time goes by, Chinese English is gradually formed. Due to the huge impact of Chinese thought and culture, Chinese English is quite unique that it can be regarded as a mixture of Chinese culture and Western culture. Its influence is deeper and deeper, thus it has drawn quite a number of scholarsrsquo; attention. Its existence cannot be ignored and it should be treated with a scientific attitude.

The paper is about the study of Chinglish and this review will be divided into four parts: 1) Definition of lsquo;lingua francarsquo; and English as a lsquo;lingua francarsquo; 2) Definition of lsquo;Chinglishrsquo; 3) Definition of lsquo;China Englishrsquo; and its connection with Chinglish 4)The limitation and prospect

1. Definitions of lsquo;lingua francarsquo; and English as a lsquo;lingua francarsquo;

Lingua franca is a media which is used by people who speak different kinds of language to communicate with each other. It is a language which is accepted by people from a different language background. In other words, it is a common means of communication for speakers of different first languages'. This term originated in the Mediterranean region in the Middle Ages among traders of different language backgrounds in Western Africa, India and Kenya. During the period of the Roman Empire, Latin and Greek were the lingua francas. Akkadian and then Aramaic had been the lingua francas of a large area of Western Asia through several earlier empires. In some countries, lingua franca is also used as the national language. For example, Urdu is the lingua franca of Pakistan as well as the national language. Some other lingua francas are used in particular areas, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. But there is no doubt that English is now at a dominant status in the whole world that it is an official language in over 60 countries. From this fact, it can be understood that English is now a vital means of communication for millions of people all over the world. It is a lingua franca in the world.

The reasons for why English can be a lingua fanca are manifold. The first is that it is a simple language. English is a language that is just made up of 26 letters. Hundreds of thousands of words are just different arrangement of these letters. But whether this language is impactful depends on the countryrsquo;s economic power, political power and military might, especially the economic power. It is not accidental that English can earn such a status in the world. Britain became an empire which called lsquo;the sun never setrsquo; in the 19th century. In the 20th, the United States became the leader both in the aspect of policy and economy. Because of these two countriesrsquo; advanced science technology, English, as their language tool, gradually became the International language. It is a truth that English is the global language. It does have its positive influence in the era of globalization.

1.1 English as a lingua fanca

There are more than ten countries that use English as their mother language, including the United States, Britain, Canada, Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, South Africa and several countries in the Caribbean States. More than 0.35 billion people use English as their first language, while more than 0.3 billion people use English as their second language and use it frequently. Besides, around 1 billion people are learning English and 2 billion people are in touch with English every day. It is predicted that nearly half of people can reach a skilled average in the world.

1.2 Analysis of English as a lingua fanca

Some scholars hold the opinion that English as a lingua franca is a tool which is neutral and culture-free; others hold that it takes away the culture and language of its speakers. Recent study shows that English as a lingua fanca is multicultural rather than culture-free, because it seems likely that the English as a lingua fanca users develop their own markers of identity. English as Lingua Franca users tend to focus on effective communication with speakers of other linguistic backgrounds. It provides people from all over the world with an effective communicative media, which can largely promote the worldwide cultural exchange.

But it also gets a lot of criticisms at the same time. Some scholars claim that variation in English as a lingua fanca is completely lack of any patterns, and therefore not worth studying. Most importantly, supporters of this view reject the idea that emerging insights into how English is used as a lingua franca can provide useful input with regard to the aims and methods of English language teaching. Other scholars think that concepts such as English as a lingua fanca provide a useful and effective platform for continued (linguistic) domination by English-speaking countries through their political, educational, and cultural institutions.

2 Definition of lsquo;Chinglishrsquo;

Due to the huge influence of English, learning English is now quite popular in those countries whose official language or second language is not English. China has the largest population in the world, and at the same time there are a growing number of people who learn English every year. Compared with other areas, China has a unique English study pattern as is deeply influenced by Confucianism. The earliest use of Chinglish can date back to the Qing Dynasty. As Hong Kong was the colony of Britain at that time, in that area the locals gradually leant some English words and phrases, and then tried to make them up complete sentences. Thus, most of the earliest Chinese English is originated from Cantonese. Nowadays, as English is a world language and a growing number of Chinese are learning it as a second language, most Chinglish come from Putonghua.

As time goes by, Chinese English is gradually formed. Chinese English is a special variety of English which contains words, sentences and grammar that are in Chinese feature. It is a common phenomenon among the Chinese when they are in the process of learning English due to the huge impact of Chinese thought and culture.

To conclude, Chinglish has the following features:

1) Compared with standard English, Chinglish is a grammatically wrong form of English.

2) Its happen due to the impact of Chinese grammar and Chinese thinking.

3) It can be corrected by a lot of practice which is aimed to make users be more familiar with standard English and encourage them to think in the western way.

The following examples can show the features of Chinglish.

1)今天的天气非常冷。

2）明天将会下雨。

3）周末会是个好天气。

If we try to translate them into English as follows:

1) Todayrsquo;s weather is very cold.

2) Tomorrow is going to rain.

3) Weekends will be a good weather.

Apparently, these three sentences are Chinglish. Its translation is according to Chinese logical thinking that translates sentences words by words. In fact, all of them are describing the weather; the only difference is the time. Thus, the subjects in all three sentences should be “it”. The standard translation should be:

1) It is very cold today.

2) It will rain tomorrow.

3) It will be fine on weekends.

So the examples show that Chinglish is mainly because of Chinese thinking which leads to grammatically wrong.

3 Definition of lsquo;China Englishrsquo; and its connection with Chinglish

China English is aimed to show the special objects which only appear in Chinese society. It takes standard English as a core and includes words, phases, sentences that are not disturbed by Chinese but have Chinese

features. As a theoretical term, China English is first raised by Ge Chuanhui in 1980. He said that such expressions like lsquo;imperial examinationsrsquo;, lsquo;May Fourth Movementrsquo;,rsquo;Mr. Sciencersquo;, lsquo;Mr. Democracyrsquo;,lsquo;Two hundred policiesrsquo;, lsquo;peoplersquo;s communersquo;, lsquo;four modernizationsrsquo; should be regarded as lsquo;China Englishrsquo; that is not used by people whose first language or mother language is English. In other words, China English is a changing form of standard English with Chinese linguistic features.

3.1 Similarities between China English and Chinglish

1) Both of them are influenced by Chinese. To be more specific, China English and Chinglish are both influenced by Chinese culture and Chinese thinking model. As language is a platform and media of one countryrsquo;s culture and thinking model, it is apparent that both of them are likely to be influenced by influenced by the mother tongue.

2) Both of them are closely related to Chinese society. Their contents are bound up with Chinese social life,

For example, “long time no see” is a greeting way which is frequently used in China.

3.2 Differences between China English and Chinglish

1) The causes of their appearance are different.

According to which has been discussed above, the appearance of China English is closely related to things happening in China. There is a need to translate these things in Chinese but their expressions are not used by people who use English as their mother language. These expressions always have Chinese features but actually they meet the rules of formation of standard English.

By contrast, Chinglish is the mistake Chinese make in the process of learning English. It has apparent grammatical mistakes because people are unfamiliar with standard English. It is noteworthy that such mistakes can be corrected by continuously practicing.

2) Native speakersrsquo; attitude to them is different.

It has been pointed that China English is based on standard English, while Chinglish is a kind of English in misshapen form. Thus, China English is accepted by native speakers. A growing number of native speakers know about China English and are likely to use it as a bridge to have a deeper understanding of Chinese thinking and Chinese culture. However, Chinglish is a symbol of mistakes Chinese learners make in the process of learning English. It shows learners are devoid of correct English usage. Native speakers are often confused by such expressions. So Chinglish seems to have low acceptability. To sum up, Chinglish should not be encouraged. Instead, learners should try to grasp the use of standard English and reduce such mistakes.

3.3 Transformation from Chinglish to China English

1)Possibility of Transformation from Chinglish to China English

Although Chinglish is a misshapen form of English while China English is based on standard English, it is noteworthy that these two do not have a clear and certain boundary in fact. In other words, language is changing, culture is changing. Anyone cannot be totally rejected as everything has its significance of existing. For example, lsquo;long time no seersquo; is a typical form of Chinglish but now it is accepted by native speakers and regarded as a special China English. Thus it does have the possibility of Transformation from Chinglish to China English.

2) Problems which should be solved during the process of transformation

First, Chinglish is related to Chinese society and culture. Thus there is a common problem that native speakers cannot fully understand such expressions. It sets up a barrier for the transformation. For example, like lsquo;imperial examinationsrsquo;, lsquo;May Fourth Movementrsquo;, they are related to Chinese history and political campaign. Anyone except those who are interested in Chinese culture cannot understand their meaning. Besides, the cause of low acceptability of these expressions is mainly the low exposure of these usages. Native speakers cannot have the chance to touch these things in their daily life. So it is nearly impossible for them to have the same understanding among these usages.

3) Ways to promote the transformation

First, cultural exchange should be encouraged and promoted. Only by promoting the culture exchange between Chinese and English native speakers can be people who speak English as their mother language have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. Then it is not difficult for them to understand the concrete meaning of Chinglish expressions.

Second, as acceptability is a major standard of distinguishing China English and Chinglish, it can also be a key factor in the process of transformation from Chinglish to China English. It is noteworthy that the main steam media should play the significant role in this process because it is the most important approach for English native speakers to get to know about Chinese culture, and then, Chinese expressions. Once there is a special Chinese expression which describes an important issue, it can be easily accepted by audiences who speak English and will be a new English word.

4 The limitation and the prospect

1) The limitation of study

It should not be ignored that the study of China English and Chinglish has a short period which is no more than 40 years. Lots of opinions are still unconvincing or just assumptions. Meanwhile, the data needed in this area is far from enough. Lack of scientific data cannot help decide which way is the best to make the transformation from Chinglish to China English. Most of examples are just from life experience and scattering. Effective research method is needed to make full use of good research sources to have a thorough and complete data analysis on the study of Chinglish and China English.

2)The prospect of study

With the dramatic improvement of Chinarsquo;s influence, China English is drawing more and more attention from all over the world. The influence of China is not only expressed in the area of economy, but also in the area of culture. As the key to culture, Chinese will be touched by more people. At the same time, More and more China English and Chinglish will appear due to the close exchange of culture. It can be sure that the study on the area of Chinglish will be prosperous and flourishing in the future.

Conclusion

Chinglish is a necessary phenomenon which happens in the process of English learning among Chinese learners. It is necessary to know the causes of Chinglish. As Chinglish is a misshapen form of standard English, avoiding such expressions should be encouraged. Meanwhile, it is a keynote to pay attention to the connections between Chinglish and China English. There is possibility and feasibility of transforming Chinglish to China English. Effective steps and scientific research should be carried out to have a better study result in the future.

Bibliography

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[10][美]Joan Pinkham.中式英语之鉴.北京：外语教学与研究出版社，2001.

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