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Yawei Li_MA Thesis_Final 2018.pdf (1.99 MB)

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“Other People’s Children”: Implicit Comparison in Modern Chinese Conversation

Li, Yawei
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1525541941003334

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, East Asian Languages and Literatures.
This is an exploration on how Chinese native speakers use implicit comparison to present the comparative meaning in daily conversation. The popular expression “Other people’s children (bieren jia de haizi)” is a typical example of a comparison that is recognized among Chinese native speakers even though no syntactical element points to comparison. This study includes corpora studies of conversations based on two published stories: Chun Cao and Beauty in Memory, that point out how implicit comparison is a example of behavioral culture in Chinese communication. By analyzing various kinds of conversations in those two stories, several discourse strategies showing implicit comparison are summarized. They are: 1) asking questions with an assumed answer; 2) mention of the third party; 3) use of predicates; 4) indicating different degrees of emotions; and 5) mention of titles. In addition, the crucial role of context and personae in oral performance is highlighted. The close readings and analyses of different conversations also reveal language learners’ misinterpretations and misuse of the implicit comparison during early stages of the learning process. This paper discusses pedagogical implications used in teaching and learning Mandarin Chinese. The author discusses different perspectives of culture with implicit comparison expressing behavioral culture. In order to present a communicative goal and transmit the meaning, understanding culture value plays a big role in language teaching and learning. The culture value is delivered by the acts that people perform during communication, the culture themes. Implicit comparison, as a very important culture theme that native speakers use frequently in their daily lives, should be highlighted by both teachers and language learners. To do that, the word “performance” is discussed and the performed culture approach is recommended. This research concludes with a future research plan including learners’ counter-intuitive behaviors, identifying more specific discourse strategies, a textbook review, teaching modules and curriculum design.
Galal Walker (Advisor)
Xiaobin Jian (Committee Member)
Curriculum Development; Language; Linguistics; Pedagogy; Teaching

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Li, Y. (2018). “Other People’s Children”: Implicit Comparison in Modern Chinese Conversation [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1525541941003334

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Li, Yawei. “Other People’s Children”: Implicit Comparison in Modern Chinese Conversation . 2018. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1525541941003334.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Li, Yawei. "“Other People’s Children”: Implicit Comparison in Modern Chinese Conversation ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1525541941003334

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1525541941003334
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.