A Review of the Perspectives and Literature of Cross-border Language Research in China
Zhang Jun
Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2018, Vol. 3 ›› Issue (4) : 42-52.
A Review of the Perspectives and Literature of Cross-border Language Research in China
Cross-border languages have attracted much academic attention in recent decades. In China, though the term cross-border languages was used by scholars in the 1980s, these languages did not become a focal research fi eld for sociolinguists until the 21st century. Nowadays, China’s studies on cross-border languages have boomed and demonstrated some specific characteristics. From the perspective of language situations or language life, this paper makes a general overview of Chinese scholars’ research of cross-border languages mainly used among China and its neighboring countries, examining their theoretical considerations and practical analysis in this fi eld. It shows that Chinese scholars have made endeavors to defi ne the concept of cross-border languages, differentiate their types, and establish customized research methodologies. The paper then presents some case studies of cross-border languages, including Russian, Central Asian languages, Jingpo and Donggan, to demonstrate Chinese scholars’ insights on the planning and management of cross-border languages in different contexts. In conclusion, this paper suggests that the cross-border languages research could be expanded and framed in the Belt and Road Initiative at the macro level. Cross-border languages are the natural channels for cross-border ethnic groups’ communication, and cross-border languages research in the context of Belt and Road are promising in the future.
cross-border ethnic group / cross-border language / language situations / language policy / language identity
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