Internet Chinglish as a Manifestation of FL/SL Learners’ Language and Conceptual Socialization

Abstract

Internet Chinglish (IC) is a unique way of expression which was purposely and creatively invented by Chinese Internet users in intercultural communication between the Chinese speech community and the English-speaking community. This phenomenon has gathered much attention from English learners, teachers and researchers. Little research, however, has been done to reveal its true nature, features, and pedagogical implications. This study first examines how Chinese Internet users, who learn English as a foreign language (EFL), have appropriated English lexical and syntactic systems to set the labels for the mindsets of Chinese speech communities on contemporary issues in China when their English counterparts are not available. The study then analyzes the features of IC from the perspectives of its users, special ways of formation, history and social acceptability. Finally, this study explores the pedagogical implications based on the analysis of a structured questionnaire. The results show that Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) learner are increasingly aware of the features of IC and its role in facilitating the conceptual socialization in the target language.