Sign In
Not register? Register Now!
Essay Available:
Pages:
3 pages/≈825 words
Sources:
Check Instructions
Style:
APA
Subject:
Literature & Language
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 10.8
Topic:

Linguistic Diversity in China: A Response

Essay Instructions:

Read this carefully before you start writing each of the papers.
Format and structure of the paper:
The paper should include at least the following sections:
A summary of the main points of the assigned article.
What you agree with, and why. You may provide further supporting arguments.
What you do not agree with, and why. You must provide supporting arguments, preferably with linguistic data.
A reference list is not required because you may not have sufficient time to research the topic, but it would be great if you include additional references in your paper. For the bibliography and citation, we recommend the APA style. But you can use other styles that you are familiar with.
You can refer to the Purdue Online Writing Lab for specifications of the APA style.
Length of paper: 3 pages, double spaced.
Grading Rubric: Please refer to Grading rubrics for response papers.pdf
What would be the best type of arguments in linguistics?
Although some linguists do write conceptual theoretical papers with minimal linguistic data, such papers are very challenging to write well. Instead, most linguistics papers need adequate linguistic data for any argument.
Therefore if you can find linguistic data to support your arguments it would be ideal. You may even suggest possible data to collect to further the research.
However, given the short time alloted for writing the paper, you may not have enough time to gather data, and therefore it would be completely fine if your arguments can be made without too much reliance on linguistic data.
However, it may be helpful to keep in mind that linguistics is an empirical science, and arguments in linguistics are often approached quite differently from disciplines in the humanities. Research methods in linguistics are often similar to social sciences.

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Running head: LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY IN CHINA1
Linguistic Diversity in China: A Response
Student Name
College/University Affiliation
LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY IN CHINA

2

Linguistic Diversity in China: A Response


I. Linguism
Linguism is, according to Blum (2005), a perceived superiority of one dominant or national language viewed as a “gold standard” against which all languages spoken in a given polity should conform to. For example, Blum lashes against US historical emphasis on English, in a “monoglot standard” view – despite numerous evidence worldwide prior to, during and after 20th century of multilingualism being very common, if not standard (Blum, p. 135). II. Three Types of Multilingual Society
Types of multilingual society include: (I) boundary contesting, as in Tamil, (ii) boundary shrugging, as in China, and (iii) boundary celebrating, as in Papua New Guinea (Blum pp. 135-136).
III. China: Multilingual Type & Reasons
China belongs to boundary shrugging multilingual society (Blum, p. 136) because: (i) linguistic differences are rarely mentioned in China, (ii) attention is focused on written, not spoken, forms of language, and (iii) Chinese easily switch between, and tolerate, different linguistic differences (Blum, pp. 136-137).
IV. Three Main Areas of Language Policy in China & Implications
These include: (i) script reform, (ii) romanization, and (iii) standardization of spoken language (Blum, p. 142). For script reform, focus is essentially on adopting a standard, national written form to replace different spoken varieties such as Mandarin, Cantonese and Shanghainese (Blum, pp. 142-143). For romanization, focus, proposed in a scheme following May Fourth movement initiation, is on simplification or elimination of Chinese script as a means of
LINGUISTIC DIVERSITY IN CHINA

3

standardization. Initially, debates arose over which variety to adopt: Cantonese, Southern Min, Shanghainese or Mandarin – each having a certain “edge”. Eventually, Mandarin prevailed (Blum, p. 143). For standardization of spoken language, focus is on Putonghua (“common language”), informed by language spoken in northern China. Intended to standardize national speech in order to universalize literacy in China under post-1949 regime, Putonghua was viewed as a lingua franca – despite different varieties still spoken, particularly in southern China (Blum, p. 144-145).
V. Language Planing in China vs. “Mainstream” Language planning in Europe and Elsewhere In contrast to “mainstream,” European language planning, emphasizing a
correspondence between nationality and language, China, having linguistic diversity, “does not include economic, political, and literary divisions corresponding to language” (Blum, p. 146). VI. Language Attitudes Towards Local Varieties in China & Putonghua
Typically, Putonghua is viewed as an “educated” and standard language in China. In more formal settings, e.g. classroom, Putonghua is most likely spoken. In China, as in all multilingual societies, linguistic varieties assume different attitudes. However, unlike different multilingual so...
Updated on
Get the Whole Paper!
Not exactly what you need?
Do you need a custom essay? Order right now:
Order

👀 Other Visitors are Viewing These APA Essay Samples: