Editor's note

The Chinese hot word "tuhao" and "dama" may be included in the next edition of Oxford English dictionaries. To date, more than 120 Chinese-linked words have been written into Oxford dictionaries.

#BBCtrending: Tuhao and the rise of Chinese bling
A new word has suddenly become wildly popular in China - "tuhao" - which loosely translated means "nouveau riche". There have been more than 100 million references to the word "tuhao" on social media since early September.

Latest News

Chinese buzzwords draw attention The Chinese phrase "nihao" is familiar to foreigners greeting Chinese; a new buzzword "tuhao" is now becoming known to many Westerners. A BBC online news magazine loosely translated "tuhao" to "nouveau riche" and reported that there have been more than 100 million uses of the word on social media since early September.

Oxford expert says it's not easy for Chinese buzzwords to make their way into English Chinese buzzwords reflect social changes, which is interesting, but it takes time for them to be accepted by British people and become English glossary, said Julie Kleeman, Project Manager of Bilingual Dictionaries with the Oxford University Press. Chinese word for uncouth rich to get into Oxford dictionary China's new buzzwords – "tuhao", meaning uncouth rich people, and "dama", meaning rich middle-aged women - could make their way into the Oxford English Dictionary next year. "If its influence continues, it is very likely to appear on our updated list of words," Julie Kleeman, project manager with the dictionary's editing team, said about tuhao. 'Tuhao' may end up in English dictionaries The Oxford University Press says that a reason for including Chinese hot words, besides the increasing influence of the Chinese language, is that these words are often puns or carry mockery and humor in a way that would be lost in translation.

Process

Process for adding buzzworthy words to the Oxford English Dictionary:

●Dictionary compilers become aware of a word’s widespread and repeated use by media outlets.

●Factors for consideration include: degree of shared use; frequency of use; degree of natural integration; intuitive understanding.

●Qualifying buzz words are placed on a “watch list” for consideration.

●New additions are first uploaded to the dictionary’s official web databank before hard copies are printed. The online version is renewed every three months. The next scheduled update is in December.

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Commentary

Global Times:
Will ‘big mothers’ shadow China’s image?
If such bottom fishing catches on globally, the ascent of dama into the English glossary may be in the offing. 

Perhaps it is fine by us if dama just hints at a whiff of satire on speculative purchasing and herd mentality. However, we may go bonkers if it's taken to represent those Chinese whose uncouth and uncivilized behavior irks foreigners. 

As China has begun to flex its muscle, more expressions doused with Chinese flavors will mix and mingle with the modern lingua franca. 

Xinhua
Chinese buzzwords draw attention
Some experts believe that even though the Chinese buzzwords are added to the online dictionary, it does not mean they would play a bigger role in intercultural communication.

Some words reflecting China's core values are not widely accepted in English, which suggested Chinese culture is still not very influential in the world, said Qiao Mu, director of the Center for International Communication Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

"As more Chinese words attract attention among speakers of English, with the Internet as an especially productive channel between languages, this will provide the West with more windows on China, its culture, and concerns," Kleeman said. "But whether or not these words will truly form part of English usage remains to be seen."

People’s Daily:
Zhang Yiwu, professor of Chinese literature at Peking University
We should consider this with an open mind. These words reflect Chinese society. They provide foreigners with a way to better understand China and the mindset of Chinese people, which in turn aid cultural communication.

shundecity.com:
We shouldn’t take the popularization of Chinese words in other countries as a sign of that Chinese language and cultural is sweeping the world. However, we have to admit that the popularity of Chinese words is a sign of China’s global influence. Since the onset of the reform and opening-up policy, Western countries that were previously indifferent to China now can’t help but take notice. 

Web editor: wangnan1@globaltimes.com.cn