Does technology pose a threat to the purity of Chinese language?

Many Chinese use instant messenger tools such as MSN or QQ, listen to music on MP3 players and log on the Internet using ADSL—most without knowing the literal Chinese translation of the abbreviations(缩略词). But they don’t have to, as many English letters have become part of the local vocabulary.

A dozen abbreviations including GDP, NBA, IT, MP3, QQ, DVD and CEO are among the 5,000 most-frequently used words in the Chinese media last year, according to a report on the 2006 Language Situation in China.

The report said some parents are so keen on English letters that a couple tried to name their baby “@”, claiming the character used in email addresses reflects their love for the child. While the “@”is obviously familiar to Chinese e-mail users, they often use the English word “at” to pronounce it “ai ta”,or “love him”.

The study collected more than 1 billion language samples from newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and websites. The annual report is jointly compiled by the Ministry of Education and the State Language Commission.

“Nowadays, more and more English abbreviations are being used in Chinese, making them an important part of modern language,” said Hou Min, a professor at Communication University of China.

“The abbreviations have gained popularity because of the ease of usage,” Hou said. For example, DNA is much simpler to use than its Chinese version. “As more Chinese people learn foreign languages, especially English, in recent years, using abbreviations has become a trend among educated people,” she added.

Some language scholars fear such usage will contaminate(污染)the purity of Chinese and cause confusion in communication.

Which of the following is TRUE about the report on the 2006 Language Situation in China?

A．The report is compiled by the Ministry of Education alone.

B．The report is compiled every year.

C．The report is compiled every two years.

D．The report is based on over 1 billion language samples from websites.

Why does the author use the example of a couple who tried to name their baby “@”?

A．To show Chinese is badly polluted by English.

B．To express the couple’s love for the child.

C．To indicate “@”is a very common sign among the e-mail users.

D．To show some people are very enthusiastic over English letters.

Why are the English abbreviations becoming more and more popular according to the passage?

A．Because English is the most common language in the world.

B．Because using English abbreviations is a fashion.

C．Because English abbreviations are easy and simple to use.

D．Because English abbreviations are easy to pronounce.

What can we infer from the passage?

A．People should know clearly the exact Chinese translation of English abbreviations.

B．More and more Chinese people will use English abbreviations in the future.

C．Most parents like to give their child English names now.

D．Language scholars hate to use English abbreviations.

Does technology pose a threat to the purity of Chinese language?
Many Chinese use instant messenger tools such as MSN or QQ, listen to music on MP3 players and log on the Internet using ADSL—most without knowing the literal Chinese translation of the abbreviations(缩略词). But they don’t have to, as many English letters have become part of the local vocabulary.
A dozen abbreviations including GDP, NBA, IT, MP3, QQ, DVD and CEO are among the 5,000 most-frequently used words in the Chinese media last year, according to a report on the 2006 Language Situation in China.
The report said some parents are so keen on English letters that a couple tried to name their baby “@”, claiming the character used in email addresses reflects their love for the child. While the “@”is obviously familiar to Chinese e-mail users, they often use the English word “at” to pronounce it “ai ta”,or “love him”.
The study collected more than 1 billion language samples from newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and websites. The annual report is jointly compiled by the Ministry of Education and the State Language Commission.
“Nowadays, more and more English abbreviations are being used in Chinese, making them an important part of modern language,” said Hou Min, a professor at Communication University of China.
“The abbreviations have gained popularity because of the ease of usage,” Hou said. For example, DNA is much simpler to use than its Chinese version. “As more Chinese people learn foreign languages, especially English, in recent years, using abbreviations has become a trend among educated people,” she added.
Some language scholars fear such usage will contaminate(污染)the purity of Chinese and cause confusion in communication.

1. 1.

   Which of the following is TRUE about the report on the 2006 Language Situation in China?

   1. A.
      The report is compiled by the Ministry of Education alone.
   2. B.
      The report is compiled every year.
   3. C.
      The report is compiled every two years.
   4. D.
      The report is based on over 1 billion language samples from websites.
2. 2.

   Why does the author use the example of a couple who tried to name their baby “@”?

   1. A.
      To show Chinese is badly polluted by English.
   2. B.
      To express the couple’s love for the child.
   3. C.
      To indicate “@”is a very common sign among the e-mail users.
   4. D.
      To show some people are very enthusiastic over English letters.
3. 3.

   Why are the English abbreviations becoming more and more popular according to the passage?

   1. A.
      Because English is the most common language in the world.
   2. B.
      Because using English abbreviations is a fashion.
   3. C.
      Because English abbreviations are easy and simple to use.
   4. D.
      Because English abbreviations are easy to pronounce.
4. 4.

   What can we infer from the passage?

   1. A.
      People should know clearly the exact Chinese translation of English abbreviations.
   2. B.
      More and more Chinese people will use English abbreviations in the future.
   3. C.
      Most parents like to give their child English names now.
   4. D.
      Language scholars hate to use English abbreviations.