Abstract

Language is an important tool for communication and an integral part of culture, and it is in a dynamic changing in anytime. The language contact will happen when people from different speech communities communicate with each other. The most common result of language contact is borrowing. The most active part of language is vocabulary, so vocabulary borrowing is considered to be a major part of language borrowing. Vocabulary borrowing can enrich our language and culture.  

With the increasingly frequent exchanges with foreign countries in economy, science and technology and culture, China has made a rapid progress. Inevitably, a large number of loan words, especially English loan words, begin to seep into people's daily life, which is not transferred by the subjective wishes of individuals. However, some scholars began to worry that the absorbing of foreign words would affect the purity of Chinese language. In this environment, this paper analyzes the use of English loan words and the existing problems from the point of view of language contact. 

This paper is divided into six chapters. The structure is as follows:

The first chapter introduces what loan words are and the purpose of the study and the structure of the thesis. The second chapter is the summary of previous researches. In the third chapter, the paper is based on the theory of language contact in order to analyze the factors which cause the rapid development of loan words. The fourth chapter analyzes the classification of loanwords and the causes and effects of them. The fifth chapter is some suggestions. The last chapter is a summary of the whole paper.

Keywords: English loan words; language contact; classification; influence

Contents

摘要

Abstract

1.-Introduction-1

1.1 Definition of Loan words-1

1.2 Thesis Statement-2

1.3 Data Collection-2

2.-Past Literature-2

2.1 Origins of Chinese Loan words-3

2.2Cultural Studies on Loan Words-3

3.-Theoretical Framework-4

3.1 Definition of Language Contact-4

3.2 Changes Caused by Language Contact-4

3.2.1 Borrowing-5

3.2.2 Shift-induced Interference-6

3.3 Mechanisms of Language Contact-6

3.3.1 Code-switching-6

3.3.2 Code-alternation-7

3.3.3 Passive Familiarity-7

4. Analysis-7

4.1 Classification of Loan Words-7

4.1.1 Transliteration Loan words-7

4.1.2 Semantic Translation of Loan Words-9

4.1.3 Letter Loan Words-11

4.2 Reasons for Borrowing Loan Words-12

4.2.1 Internal Reasons-12

4.2.2 External Reasons-12

4.3 The Influences of English Loan Words-13

4.3.1 The Influence on Chinese Characters-13

4.3.2 The Influence on Chinese Words-14

4.3.3 Influence on Chinese Society-15

4.3.4 Negative Influence Caused by Loan Words-15

5. Suggestions on Loaning Words-16

5.1 Suggestions for the Media-16

5.2 Suggestions for the public-17

5.3 Suggestions for the English Learner-17

6. Conclusion-18

References-20

Acknowledgements-22