Chinese: Second Language Learner F–10 Sequence / Levels 7 and 8 / Understanding / Language variation and change
Content description
Explain how the Chinese language adapts to social and technological changes
Elaborations
enquiring into the use of internet language, including numerical representations of words (for example, 55555 = 呜呜他在哭) as a means of private communication among youth
exploring the use of mobile phones and the internet to replace old ways of communication, for example, texting or emailing New Year greetings instead of going to 拜年 in person
comparing features of correspondence and the circumstances in which some forms of correspondence are preferred, for example, why 贺节短信 is popular as a way to save time and money
exploring the ways in which new words and phrases are incorporated into everyday communication in Chinese, for example, how English expressions of emotion (去 happy 吧) are used in chat forums and text messaging, and how Pinyin abbreviations are used to replace characters (L P = 老婆)
examining how the adaptation of words reflects and encourages cultural change, for example, gender equality is reflected in the use of 妳 to address females and 他们 to include both men and women
