Chinese: Second Language Learner F–10 Sequence / Levels 7 and 8 / Understanding / Language variation and change
Content description
Investigate the extent and dynamic nature of Chinese language use locally and globally
Elaborations
exploring the ways in which Chinese language use is fostered among local communities and the use of Chinese in local media such as community radio, TV, newspapers and magazines
exploring the use of 普通话 as a lingua franca in Chinese-speaking communities, and identifying terms used in different regions to express a similar idea, for example, 普通话 versus 国语；达人 vs 高手
viewing words in 繁体字 in familiar contexts and applying their understanding of the simplification process to determine the possible meanings and the 简体字 equivalent, for example, 个-個;说-說; 边-邊
discussing the use of 繁体字 and 简体字 in Chinese-speaking communities today, including the revival of 繁体字 and the spread of 简体字 in diverse communities
examining how globalisation is impacting on Chinese values and language use, for example, how responses to praise are shifting to reflect a western concept of gratitude (谢谢) rather than the modesty of the past (哪里哪里)
reading texts consisting of 名人名言 (such as 孔子说：有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎), and discussing the cultural meaning of the quote and how it is relevant to contemporary language use
