The Formation and Standardization Mechanisms of One-character Abbreviations for Chinese City Names#br#

Zhai Zhanguo

Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2025, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (5) : 87-96.

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Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2025, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (5) : 87-96. DOI: 10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20250507

The Formation and Standardization Mechanisms of One-character Abbreviations for Chinese City Names#br#

  • Zhai Zhanguo
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Abstract

Most Chinese cities at the prefectural level and above employ one-character abbreviations for their place names, which can be categorized into three types: initial-character, final-character, and alias-based. Some cities, however, do not implement any one-character abbreviations at all. Through comprehensively examining the one-character abbreviations used in COVID-19 prevention notices and official document codes across 337 mainland Chinese cities, two core mechanisms for abbreviation formation are identified: (1) The first is exclusion mechanism, under which the abbreviations used in public notices avoid using numerals, directional terms, characters identical to provincial names/abbreviations, characters with low distinctiveness or those evoking inappropriate connotations or associations, while document code adoption applies looser restrictions (primarily directional terms and provincial name overlaps) with frequent exceptions. (2) The second is selection mechanisms, which are largely consistent for both types of abbreviations: use an abbreviation wherever possible, with a preference for the first character; if the first character is unsuitable, consider the last character; if an alias exists, it takes precedence; if none of the above apply, no abbreviation is used. Currently, the key issues identified in the use of one-character city name abbreviations in China include: suboptimal character selection, lack of standardized abbreviations for major cities, and improper cultural usage in ethnic minority regions where traditional naming conventions are often overlooked. It is recommended to standardize the abbreviations of well-known cities to align with historical and cultural contexts, enrich the cultural and historical connotations of these abbreviations by incorporating local heritage and linguistic traditions, and implement contextual guidelines to prevent insensitive or culturally inappropriate abbreviations, particularly in ethnic minority regions. To sum up, this study contributes to the rationalization of urban place name abbreviations, fostering clarity in administrative communication while preserving cultural diversity.

Key words

city names / one-character abbreviations / formation mechanisms / usage norms

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Zhai Zhanguo. The Formation and Standardization Mechanisms of One-character Abbreviations for Chinese City Names#br#[J]. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning. 2025, 10(5): 87-96 https://doi.org/10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20250507

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