The Chinese Society Observed through Abbreviations with Numerals - from BANYUETAN in the Latter Half of 1998 -

In this study, I will clarify, through abbreviations with numerals, the phases of Chinese society in 1998. Abbreviations involving numerals occupy only 10 to 20% of the whole abbreviated words. This is why no preceding studies focused on abbreviations with numerals have been made by other researchers. A series of studies by aka, Oka[1998a, 1998b, 1999a, 1999b], revealed their features and classified them into four groups. Newly created abbreviations with numerals reflect the political, economic and social circumstances of China today because most of them are used as political slogans, and because the rest are used to express typical social phenomena. Jiang Zemin succeeded in securing President Clington's promise on Taiwan problem during the president's visit to China in June 1998. His promise was abbreviated to "san-bu" (three no's). The reform of food dirtribution system faces some difficult problems. One ofthem takes place at the lowest level of official food purchase centers. Hunan Province orders those centers to put up four kinds of notices in order to avoid farmers' uneasiness. This is "si ban shang qiang" (four notices posted on the wall). Still, each center is required to offer "wu liang" (five for cooling) services for farmers who visit there to sell agricultural products in the hot weather. When an abbreviation is widely accepted among people, similar expressions will be derived from it before long. Wide spread of "san pei" (three erotic services) created "xin san pei" (three new services) which means three kinds of excessive hospitalities for senior officers by their juniors. "Wu pei" (five services) has also been made.

研究ノート (Note)