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Why does my English writing sound so Chinese?. Chingting Chen Proceedings of the CATESOL State Conference, 2006. 1. Basic Composition Structure. The basic English composition structure is “introduction-body-conclusion”
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Why does my English writing sound so Chinese? Chingting Chen Proceedings of the CATESOL State Conference, 2006
1. Basic Composition Structure • The basic English composition structure is “introduction-body-conclusion” • the Chinese structure is “beginning-following-turning-concluding” (qi-cheng-zhuan-he).
Introduction vs. Qi • English: The first paragraph (introduction) introduces the topic • Chinese: Qimeans the beginning of an essay, in which there is a topic partly related to the theme
Body vs. Cheng-Zhuan • English: The body of the essay gives further details on the topic • Chinese: The role of cheng is to follow the beginning paragraph and amplify it
Body vs. Cheng-Zhuan • Chinese: In zhuan, the whole essay turns in another direction • The topic will be addressed from a different perspective, in order to surprise the reader • This DOES NOT HAPPEN in English!
Conclusion vs. He • English: The conclusion summarizes the topic and causes the reader to continue thinking about the topic • Chinese: He, concludesthe previous paragraph with a particular point which refers to the theme of the essay. • A good he is powerful and short, providing the reader with a great insight and also some space to ponder the theme
2. Introduction of the theme • to English readers, Chinese writing seems to delay the introduction of the theme (often topic sentence is placed in the last paragraph) • to Chinese readers, English writing seems to introduce the theme too early (last sentence of the first paragraph)
3. Way of organizing thinking • a Chinese writer’s thinking may be inductive (indirect) • First provides details and then offers main argument in the conclusion • an English writer’s thinking is deductive (direct) • First provide the main argument and then offer specific details for support
4. Difference in conclusion • a Chinese conclusion tends to end with a statement unrelated to the thesis. • an English conclusion tends to reassert the thesis in different words
5. Tone of Writing • The tone of Chinese writing is reserved • being reserved is seen as humility, which a good writer should possess • Chinese are not expected to express opinions directly • seems ambiguous (not clear) • The tone of English writing is straightforward
6. Responsibility • Chinese is a reader-responsible language • Chinese readers are responsible for interpreting essays to understand the deeper meanings and appreciate the artistic beauty • English is a writer-responsible language • English writing requires the writer to make the ideas clear
7. Contrasting Values • collectivism versus individualism • To Chinese, maintaining relationship is very important. • Chinese believe that they live for not only themselves but also the society. • Therefore, Chinese writers tend to call for the collective good. • In an essay about teaching students English, a Chinese writer may write: We have to always remember that it is our full responsibility to give our next generation a bright future
7. Contrasting Values • collectivism versus individualism • Westerners tend to express their voice without worrying about breaking relationship with others because individual rights are highly recognized in Western society
8. Use of personal anecdotes • Chinese tend not to use personal anecdotes as often as Westerners
9. Use of person pronouns • Chinese ESL students overuse the first person plural pronoun we when the first person singular pronoun I is more appropriate • In English, using we without specifically mentioning whom it refers is considered ineffective • We is too vague
10. Use of well known Chinese quotations • Chinese writers cite proverbs, maxims, and fixed phrases • Chinese ESL students use as the saying goes, • to Chinese, using well known quotes make the writer seem more knowledgeable • English writers tend to use original wording