Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Beijing Normal University;Nanjing University of Finance and Economics
Vol.2 No.1 (Serial No.2) 2008
89-104
2008-10-01
Since 1949, modern Chinese language has, in the course of its development in Mainland China, twice witnessed large-scale transfers in its word emotive overtones. The first began in 1949 and went on all the way till the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1977. Derogation manifested itself in that period, during which the derogatory words enjoyed their greatest number, widest usages and highest frequency in the history of the Chinese language. The second began from the Reform and Opening Up Policy in 1978 and lasted untill now. De-derogation has manifested itself in this period, during which the derogatory words have had the smallest number, least usages and lowest frequency in the history of the Chinese language. The two large-scale transfers result from their specific social backgrounds and the development of the Chinese language itself.
Modern Chinese language, emotive overtones, transfers
doi:10.26478/ja2008.2.2.5
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