English in China: Creativity and Commodification

Description

English-related linguistic creativity and language commodification are a constant topic of interest and analysis for scholars. This volume is intended to initiate a dialogue between these two domains of inquiry that have been abundantly addressed but rarely documented together or in relation to one another. English as used in mainland China is presented as a case study where it remains rather unclear the extent to which the language is actually used in people’s lives, outside the domain of education. The volume enriches existing empirical studies by exploring the creative and innovative uses of English in people’s lives and its commodification at different language-centred economic spaces within China while also providing an update of our understanding of the sociolinguistic situation of English in China, a country undergoing rapid socio-economic transformation. English in China is the first attempt to discuss the possible relationship, intersection, and tension between two seemingly inseparable research topics. The book is an important resource for students and scholars in the fields of Applied Linguistics, Bilingualism, Sociolinguistics, Translation, and Contemporary Chinese Studies. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Figures Tables Contributors Introduction English in China Linguistic Creativity The Commodification of Language Overview of Chapters Notes References Part I Theoretical Framework 1 Linguistic Creativity and Language Commodification Research: An Intersectional Perspective Introduction What Is Intersectionality? Intersections of Identity, Linguistic Creativity, and Language Commodification Summary References 2 The Politics of English as a Commodity in China: From Neoliberal Globalization to Neoliberal Nationalism Introduction Two Waves of Private ELT Enterprises in China The ELT Industry and China’s Political Economy: Globalization, Neoliberalism, and Nationalism English as Economic Resource: Some Features of the ELT Industry in China Today English as Linguistic Capital: Unequal Englishes and Social Disparity English as Patriotic Entrepreneurship: Towards Neoliberal Nationalism Discussion and Conclusion Note References Part II Creative Practices With English 3 Stylization in Chinese Online Communication: English as Resource for Creative Linguistic Practices Language Use By Chinese Netizens Digital Literacy Practices By Chinese Netizens The Study Findings English-only Practices English Abbreviations Novel Chinese-English Code-Mixing Transformation and Localization of English Expressions English as a Resource for Taboo Language Use So What? Multilingual Awareness, Capability, and Beyond Adoption of English for Language Play Translocalization of Linguistic Resources Future Research On Linguistic Creativity Notes References 4 Translational Creativity in the Linguistic Landscape of Shantou: Negotiating the Middle Ground Between... Introduction Linguistic Landscape and Translational Creativity Materials and Methods Results and Analysis Transliteration Punning Cultural Manipulation Linguistic Hybridity Discussion Conclusion References 5 Creative Uses of English in the Linguistic Landscape of Suzhou Introduction Ethnolinguistic Profile of Suzhou Data and Methodology Findings and Discussion Inventive Portmanteaus Transgressive Romanization Bilingual Paronomasia Exocentric Compounds Conclusion Acknowledgement Notes References Part III English as Commodity 6 Teaching English On Douyin: Language Commodification and Translanguaging Introduction The Commodification of English Translanguaging and Online Language Teaching Authenticity in Online Informal ELT The Data Data Analysis English as a Valuable Skill Expertise in Online ELT Discussion Conclusion Notes References 7 Individualization of Chinese Society and Commodification of English: Appropriation of English as a Valuable... Introduction Linguistic Instrumentalism and China’s Shifting Contexts of Language Policy and Planning Individuals and English Language Education in China The Shifting Commodification and Appropriation of English By Individuals Zhang Haidi as a Socialist Youth and Useful Member of Society in the 1980s Li Yang as a Patriotic Learner in Pursuit of Self-Interest the 1990s Luo Yonghao as a Committed Idealist and Nonconformist in the 2000s Reflections and Conclusion References 8 Exploring Commodification of English in Advertising... Introduction Booming Online ELT Tutoring Market in China Previous Research On the Commodification of English in ELT Marketing Discourse Methodology Data Collection Analytical Tools Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Textual Elements Visual Grammar Analysis of Pictorial Elements Results and Analysis Results for Textual Components of Advertising Posters Selling Native-Speaking North American Teachers Selling Language Learning Enjoyment Selling English Speaking Skill Results for Pictorial Elements of Advertising Posters Representational Meaning Interactive Meaning Discussion and Conclusion References 9 Displaying and Commodifying English On Shop Name Signs: Perspectives of Business Practitioners in China Introduction The Current Research Research Sites Research Instrument and Participants Data Collection Results and Findings Visibility and Salience of English Signs English Forms On Shop Name Signs Overlapping Or Fragmentary English Names Complementary English Names Lookalike English Names Wordplay in English Names Marketers’ Perceptions of the Functions of English On Signs English Competence of Business Runners Motivations for Presenting English On Shop Name Signs Discussion Commodification of English On Commercial Signs The English Fetish and China’s LL Policies English and Identity Construction Conclusion Acknowledgements References Coda: New Perspectives On English in Contemporary China Index