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To What Extent is the English Language Present in Modern China?: An Analysis of Key Words and Trends Within Popular Chinese Entertainment, Media, and Cultural Mediums From a Sociolinguistic Perspective, Primarily Focusing on Southeast China, and the Reasons Behind the Scope of This Phenomenon

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Author

  • Morgan Ericson Dryden

Summary, in English

This study is designed to analyze the sociolinguistic situation in China with regard to the extent to which the English language has become audible and visible within modern, and present-day, Chinese society. This critical examination is from a sociolinguistic and culturally analytical standpoint, and employs theories and concepts from the field of sociolinguistics to assess the phenomenon of the spread of, specifically, the English language in different facets of Chinese culture. Although sociolinguistic methodology, meaning the implementation of theories from this field and a questionnaire relating to language attitudes, plays an important role in this investigation, much of the evidence used in the research is extracted from Chinese media and entertainment. Other integral parts of the study are the linguistic, and to a lesser extent economic, backgrounds of modern China, which both serve as subjects from which a foundation to understand the reasons behind the prestigious position enjoyed by English in Chinese society can be built. This study is focused primarily on popular Chinese culture and the linguistic trends that have blossomed from it as well as the social norms that have allowed and continue to permit the presence of foreign languages, specifically the English language, in China. The primary goals of this study are to determine: the extent of the scope of the English language and its use within contemporary Chinese society, the reasons for and logic behind this and how this has affected the Mandarin Chinese language, and finally whether or not the scope of this phenomenon will expand in Chinese culture and society in the future. A final objective of this investigation is to outline potential key indicators to be employed in speculation regarding the future of this phenomenon.

Department/s

Publishing year

2012

Language

English

Document type

Student publication for Master's degree (two years)

Topic

  • Languages and Literatures

Keywords

  • English Language in China
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Chinese Sociolinguistics
  • Chinese Culture
  • Chinese Media and Entertainment
  • Popular Chinese Culture.

Funder

  • Birgit Rausing Language Program

Supervisor

  • Michael Schoenhals