The Importance Of Loanwords In The Chinese Language

When different languages come into contact, the languages involved may be affected in various ways. “The simplest kind of influence that one language may exert on another is the ‘borrowing’ of words” (Sapir,1921). Accordingly the words that are borrowed from another language are called loanwords. None of languages is absolutely pure without absorbing any loanword therefore lexical borrowing is a common linguistics phenomena. Furthermore, loanwords not only contribute to evolution of languages but also play significant roles in linking culture. Some social scientists consider that without language, culture would not be possible( Winging Jiang, 1999). For these reasons, the knowledge of loanwords is necessary for an understanding of languages

Mandarin, based on Beijing dialect, simultaneously assimilated abundant Northern spoken forms of language elements, is the sole national language and official language in mainland China, which possess a prestigious and absolutely powerful status in local speech community. Partly for this ground it is inevitable that the range of loanwords used are limited. Nevertheless, a certain number of loanwords exists in particular conversations among particular participants about particular topics. The most frequent loanwords employed by Chinese are English, Japanese and Korean. Considering manifold expansion reasons for English words and Japanese, Korean words, it can be concluded that motivations for using loanwords are different as well. As an international language, the borrowing of English is for the purpose of education, trade and international affairs. With regard to Japanese and Korean, the direct explanation is affinity between values and cultures leads to affinity of

Japanese and Korean loanwords are used on basic of mental factors, such as keeping pace with times, adjusting atmosphere and defusing embarrassing. When the real climax came after China’s implementation of the Reform and Opening-up policy, they get quite calm, tolerant, and even eager for new things. As a result, loanwords and their exotic flavor enjoy great popularity in Chinese language and among Chinese people. [2]. Even if some words have the same expression in Chinese, people still prefer Japanese words to expire their meanings. For instance, cuteness, 可爱, a common glorify in Chines,is said into Japanese by Kawayi(the transliteration of Japanese, かわいい ). 오빠(op’a) is an honorific to express the closed relationship between young women and older men. Interestingly young Chinese girls call any men they admire by Ouba( the transliteration of Korean,오빠) deeply influenced by Korean dramas,The words are highly used by young Chinese girls in more arbitrary occasions, the speakers and interlocutor deeply influenced by Korean