The linguistic features of ELF by Chinese users in China–ASEAN communication contexts

Abstract

Abstract Based on the Chinese component of the Asian Corpus of English (ACE), this study focuses on the lexicogrammar features of ELF by Chinese speakers in China–ASEAN communication contexts. It is found that non-standard forms do exist systematically in high distance social talk by the Chinese ELF users of comparatively high English proficiency. Examples and analysis are provided to illustrate the common non-standard lexicogrammar features in terms of lexical innovation, non-standard use of prepositions, the omission of subjects, objects and copula, grammatical disagreement, subject pronoun copying and tag question. These non-standard forms appear to be adopted due to mother tongue transfer, facilitation of communication or exploitation of language resources. However, no misunderstandings occur due to the non-standard forms.