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Albert R. Zhou, Musashino University, JapanAbstract
This presentation reports key findings of an ongoing study about the global presence of the Chinese language in terms of language comprehensive competitiveness, a framework revised and defined by Gil as “the association of a language with forms of power and resources that are valuable and bring benefits to speakers of the language within a language society” (Gil, 2021:41). The framework consists of eight components (pp. 52-53). Gil examines the comprehensive competitiveness of major languages, positing that these components may either facilitate or hinder the macroacquisition of a language. This presentation focuses on policy competitiveness and cultural competitiveness.
By analyzing media reports, government, statistical, and academic sources, the presentation discusses some of the major developments of the Chinese language over the past decade and explores the presence and potential of Chinese as a global language. The presentation concludes that cultural competitiveness, to a large extent, supports the macroacquisition, but not as much as policy competitiveness. However, China’s cultural developments in the past two decades have rapidly strengthened the global position of the language. As a result, the growing global influence of the Chinese language has significantly shaped the global linguistic landscape. On the other hand, the rising influence of the Chinese language has also generated significant controversies and challenges. The presentation includes a discussion about the implications of the rising global influence of Chinese for language policy and educational practice in a global context.
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