China English and English Teaching in China

譚竹修　何丹

【Abstract】English has become an international language. The English globalization has caused the localization of English all over the world. China English， with its own language characteristics， is such an example of English localization in Chinese context. This paper aims to explore how China English is formed and what characteristics it has. The implications of China English on English teaching in Chinese context are also discussed.

【Key words】China English； language variety； English teaching

1. Introduction

English， being an international language， has given rise to many localized varieties， one of which is China English. In Chinese context where English is a foreign language， it is of great significance for English learners to understand how China English is formed and what characteristics it has because these are important for English learners in China to learn English.

2. English globalization and China English

The globalization of English has brought us localization of English language and China English is just one example. The concept of China English was proposed early in 1980 （Guo， 1980）. When discussing the differences between Chinese English and China English， Guo said that every nation is different from each other and it is reasonable for Chinese people to have Chinese characteristics when they are using English. There are many expressions in China English that are different from American or British English. Take some， for example， four modernizations， May forth Movement， paper tiger， etc.

China English is different from Chinese English that is shortened as Chinglish. Strictly speaking， China English is the interlanguage that exists between the nonstandard English and Standard English. Chinglish refers to the irregular English due to the negative transfer or the arbitrary translation by the English learners in China， thus being regarded as an unaccepted form of English （Gao， 2010）.

Many scholars have defined China English （Wang， 1986； Li， 1993）. The main features of China English are listed below： China English is based on the Standard English and expresses the particular things that lie in Chinese society and culture. It uses the vocabulary and language with Chinese characteristics while keeping away from the interferences and influences of the native language. China English is one language variety that can be facilitative to the transmission of Chinese culture and one language that can be accepted by the Standard English.

The characteristics of China English mainly lie in lexemes， pronunciation and discourse. Many words of China English with Chinese characteristics have been accepted by English dictionaries. Some examples can be found as follows： First kind of it is with Chinese cultural features： paper tiger， Great Leap Forward， Cultural Revolution. The second kind reflects change of time： Four Civilizations， one China policy， open-door policy， floating population， vegetable basket program， emancipate the mind and seek truth from facts， Special Economy Zone， reform and opening-up policy， one country and two systems， Taikonaut. The pronunciation in China English mainly lies in the supersegmental level. Such as stress， junction， liaison， etc. The Chinese pronunciation is somewhat different from the native speakers but their differences in pronunciation do not affect their communication greatly if they can understand each other. Likewise， the characteristics in China English discourse reflect Chinese thinking pattern and will not affect the cross-cultural communication. Therefore， China English is the result of English globalization and can be accepted.

3. The implications of China English on English teaching in China

China English can be very helpful for our English learning and communication with native speakers. The purpose for learners in China to learn English is for communication. One the one hand， learning English is for our better understanding of foreign culture. One the other hand， we need to make known our Chinese culture and technology to the outside world. So the words that express those things that are special in China from other nations begin to emerge. Whats more， our purpose for learning English is not only for the communication with people from America and British. English has become a world language， so Chinese people should be prepared to communicate with those English-speaking people who have the Japanese， Arabic， Spanish， and India characteristics. So the Chinese learners should not be annoyed with the Chinese accents.

China English brings us something new in our teaching practice. English teaching should include and convey contents of Chinese cultures because with the development of Chinese economy， China is becoming more and more important to the world. Let the outside world know China and let China get involved in the development in the world. Under this situation， we should adjust our teaching contents. The contents of English teaching should introduce those things that are special in China from other countries besides the introduction of the cultures of English-speaking countries. What is more important is that China English can help to build up learners confidence about English learning and use. Because of the negative influence of Chinese language， learners will often have Chinese accents when speaking English. Some may feel frustrated about that.

English is neither our mother tongue nor our second language. We do not need to show our proficiency of English with American or British people and most of the learners will not go abroad to America or British. We have our special purpose of learning English. Most of us want to be equipped with English for finding a job or getting information. China English can be accepted in Chinese context.

4. Conclusion

China English is the result of English globalization and the English localization in Chinese context. English， being a world language， provides us with a language tool to know the world. China English， on the other hand， offers a new way to the outside world to understand Chinese culture. China English can surely help us to understand better the English language teaching in Chinese context.

References：

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