Mandarin Chinese Research Articles

The Role of Auditory and Visual Modality in Perception of Focus in Mandarin Chinese.

Speech perception is a complex process that involves multiple sensory modalities. Despite our intuitions of speech as something we hear, accumulating evidence has shown that speech perception is not solely dependent on the auditory modality. While it is well established that auditory and visual cues can both help listeners perceive focus, the latter is not established in Mandarin, and the relative contribution of these cues is not established at all. The current study investigated Mandarin listeners' integration of auditory and visual cues in the interpretation of focus in noise-degraded speech, through a question-answer appropriateness rating experiment. To explore the effectiveness and relative contribution of auditory and visual modality in the interpretation of Mandarin focus, participants did a question-answer appropriateness rating task involving subject focus, object focus, and broad focus. All the question-answer pairs were constructed in three modalities: audio only, visual only, and audiovisual. They were instructed to rate the appropriateness of the question-answer pairs. A babble noise was superimposed on the audio track for the audio only and audiovisual conditions. Although auditory cues via prosodic prominence were an effective cue to interpreting focus, visual cues were proven more effective, at least with degraded audio. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of the interaction between linguistic cues and sensory information during language comprehension, widens the range of languages included in this body of research, and provides important implications for future studies on focus processing in various linguistic contexts and communication settings. This, in turn, will deepen our understanding of the multimodal nature of language comprehension.

Secondary Chinese teachers’ barriers to developing critical consciousness in Mandarin Chinese dual language bilingual education classrooms

Secondary Chinese teachers’ barriers to developing critical consciousness in Mandarin Chinese dual language bilingual education classrooms

A systematic multimodal assessment of AI machine translation tools for enhancing access to critical care education internationally

BackgroundLanguage barriers pose a significant barrier to expanding access to critical care education worldwide. Machine translation (MT) offers significant promise to increase accessibility to critical care content, and has rapidly evolved using newer artificial intelligence frameworks and large language models. The best approach to systematically apply and evaluate these tools, however, remains unclear.MethodsWe developed a multimodal method to evaluate translations of critical care content used as part of an established international critical care education program. Four freely-available MT tools were selected (DeepL™, Google Gemini™, Google Translate™, Microsoft CoPilot™) and used to translate selected phrases and paragraphs into Chinese (Mandarin), Spanish, and Ukrainian. A human translation performed by a professional medical translator was used for comparison. These translations were compared using 1) blinded bilingual clinician evaluations using anchored Likert domains of fluency, adequacy, and meaning; 2) automated BiLingual Evaluation Understudy (BLEU) scores; and 3) validated system usability scale to assess the ease of use of MT tools. Blinded bilingual clinician evaluations were calculated as individual domains and averaged composite scores.ResultsBlinded clinician composite scores were highest for human translation (Chinese), Google Gemini (Spanish), and Microsoft CoPilot (Ukrainian). Microsoft CoPilot (Chinese) and Google Translate (Spanish and Ukrainian) earned the lowest scores. All Chinese and Spanish versions received “understandable to good” or “high quality” BLEU scores, while Ukrainian overall scored “hard to get the gist” except using Microsoft CoPilot. Usability scores were highest with DeepL (Chinese), Google Gemini (Spanish), and Google Translate (Ukrainian), and lower with Microsoft CoPilot (Chinese and Ukrainian) and Google Translate (Spanish).ConclusionNo single MT tool performed best across all metrics and languages, highlighting the importance of routine assessment of these tools during educational activities given their rapid ongoing evolution. We offer a multimodal evaluation methodology to aid this assessment as medical educators expand their use of MT in international educational programs.

Дискурсивные понятия тайваньской реальности: лингвострановедческие аспекты и расширение глоссария

The aim of this research is to develop an advanced theoretical and methodological model for analyzing discursive reality, specifically in relation to the politico-geographical entity of Taiwan. This model is intended for Russian specialists in the field of Chinese studies (linguists, cultural scholars, ethnographers, and political scientists), as well as for Russian speakers in general. The model is based on a systematized, expandable glossary of key discursive concepts, which are investigated through a contrastive analysis of referential (subject-related), denotative (representative), significative (conceptual), and connotative (evaluative) components in a comparative perspective. The scientific novelty lies in the introduction of a methodologically grounded and expanded system of concepts characterizing the discourse of speakers of the Taiwanese variant of Mandarin Chinese (Guoyu), reflecting the specificity of Taiwanese discursive reality. In contrast to traditional approaches in both domestic and foreign Chinese studies, which often focus on abstract "Chinese people" or representatives of mainland China, this study concentrates specifically on the Taiwanese context, thereby eliminating systemic errors arising from generalizations about "Chinese" linguistic and cultural reality and the uncritical transfer of "general" notions to the Taiwanese context, often due to politico-ideological factors and entrenched stereotypes. The present work, continuing a previous study (provisionally "Part 1 of the Glossary"), presents for the first time a comparative analysis of concepts, taking into account basic semantic components. As a result, the peculiarities of discursive concepts in Taiwanese reality are determined, their differences from analogous or homonymous concepts in Russian and/or mainland Chinese realities are revealed, directions for further expansion of the glossary and its transformation into a thesaurus are proposed, and the foundations for the formation of a new scientific direction are laid. The research results in the identification of a new series of key discursive concepts in Taiwanese reality, proposes the next part of the glossary, and defines differences from analogous or homonymous concepts in Russian and/or mainland Chinese reality.

Reliability, validity, and acceptability of the simplified Mandarin Chinese EORTC QLQ-OPT30 for uveal melanoma patients

This study aimed to translate the EORTC QLQ-OPT30 into Mandarin (Simplified) Chinese and assess its reliability, validity, and acceptability among Chinese uveal melanoma (UM) patients. From January 2023 to June 2024, 60 UM patients from a tertiary hospital in central China were enrolled. The process involved both forward and back translation to develop the Mandarin (Simplified) Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-OPT30. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 25.0. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s α coefficient, and validity was assessed through factor analysis and Pearson correlation tests. Acceptability was determined based on response rate and average completion time. The EORTC QLQ-OPT30 module contains 26 items for all patients, with an additional 4 items for those undergoing treatments other than enucleation. The module measures various aspects such as ocular irritation, visual impairment, headaches, concerns about disease recurrence, appearance issues, functional problems related to vision impairment, reading difficulties, functional issues in the treated eye, and driving problems. The study included 60 patients (45% male, 55% female) with an average age of (55.22 ± 10.02) years. The internal consistency reliability of the multi-item scales was acceptable, with Cronbach’s α values ranging from 0.848 to 0.946, except for the AP dimension, which had a lower α value of 0.567. The Mandarin (Simplified) Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-OPT30 was tested in internal consistency, the split-half, and retest reliability, along with structural, convergent, and discriminant validity; as well as acceptability by its effectiveness, all the above demonstrated good values, making it a valuable tool for measuring health-related quality of life in Chinese UM patients.

Enhanced Delta Band Neural Tracking of Degraded Fundamental Frequency Speech in Noisy Environments.

Pitch variation of the fundamental frequency (F0) is critical to speech understanding, especially in noisy environments. Degrading the F0 contour reduces behaviorally measured speech intelligibility, posing greater challenges for tonal languages like Mandarin Chinese where the F0 pattern determines semantic meaning. However, neural tracking of Mandarin speech with degraded F0 information in noisy environments remains unclear. This study investigated neural envelope tracking of continuous Mandarin speech with three F0-flattening levels (original, flat-tone, and flat-all) under various SNRs (0, -9, and -12 dB). F0 contours were flattened at the word level for flat-tone and at the sentence level for flat-all Mandarin speech. Electroencephalography responses were indexed by the temporal response function in the delta (<4 Hz) and theta (4-8 Hz) frequency bands. Results show that delta-band envelope tracking is modulated by the degree of F0 flattening in a nonmonotonic manner. Notably, flat-tone Mandarin speech elicited the strongest envelope tracking compared with both original and flat-all speech, despite reduced F0 information. In contrast, the theta band, which primarily encodes speech SNR level, was not affected by F0 changes. In addition, listeners with better pitch-related music skills exhibited more efficient neural envelope speech tracking, despite being musically naive. These findings indicate that neural envelope tracking in the delta (but not theta) band is highly specific to F0 pitch variation and highlight the role of intrinsic musical skills for speech-in-noise benefits.

Development and Evaluation of a Virtual Reality-Based Mandarin Language Learning System Enriched with Chinese Cultural and Geographical Contexts

In Junior High School Sepuluh Nopember Sidoarjo has a superior program, namely International Class, in this type of class there is Mandarin learning. However, in reality, students who take junior high school have low language skills, especially in Mandarin. Because conventional learning materials tend to be boring for students. The purpose of this study is to improve students' understanding of the use of Virtual Reality technology in learning Mandarin. The method used in this study is using Experimental Design (Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design) and uses the N-Gain test theory. After testing using this method, the results obtained were an increase in learning outcomes of 22% from learning that initially used conventional learning to learning based on Virtual Reality technology. This increase indicates that the use of Virtual Reality (VR)-based learning media has a positive impact on improving students' understanding of the material being studied.

The Fusion of Tradition and Modernity: Reviewing the Lyrics and Vocal Style of Chinese Art Songs

This study explores the characteristics of Chinese art songs, with a particular focus on their lyrics and vocal style, through a literature review approach. Chinese art songs (yishu gequ) emerged during the May Fourth Movement as a fusion of Western compositional techniques and traditional Chinese cultural elements. The lyrics are deeply rooted in Chinese ancient poetry, drawing on classical themes such as nature, emotions, and philosophy, while maintaining structural integrity through poetic forms like shi (詩) and ci (詞). The linguistic complexities of Mandarin Chinese, a tonal language, present unique challenges for composers in balancing melodic expression with tonal accuracy. Additionally, the vocal style integrates Western operatic traditions with elements from traditional Chinese vocal aesthetics, such as those found in Peking opera and folk music. Performers face interpretative challenges due to the hybrid nature of the genre, requiring technical mastery and cultural sensitivity. The findings highlight the cultural and artistic significance of Chinese art songs as a unique genre that bridges traditional Chinese heritage and modernity. This research underscores the importance of further study on the lyrics and vocal styles to enrich understanding and appreciation of this musical form.

Motivation and Challenges in Learning Mandarin For Non-Chinese Descent High School Students at Methodist-6 School Medan

This study aims to analyze the level of motivation and the difficulties faced by non-Chinese students in learning Mandarin at SMA Methodist-6 Medan. The background of this research is the increasing demand for Mandarin proficiency in Indonesia, following the growing bilateral relations between Indonesia and China and the increasing career opportunities requiring Mandarin skills. This study uses a quantitative approach with a survey method, where data is collected through questionnaires distributed to non-Chinese students. The results show that most students have high motivation to learn Mandarin, particularly instrumental motivation related to career opportunities. However, the main difficulties they face lie in writing and speaking skills, which are caused by the structural differences between Mandarin and Indonesian, as well as limited opportunities to practice outside the school environment. Additionally, there is an indication of a gap between students' high motivation and their actual ability to overcome linguistic barriers. The Pearson correlation test results show a weak and insignificant positive relationship between motivation and learning difficulties. Based on these findings, it is suggested that a more contextual and communicative learning approach should be applied to address the learning difficulties faced by students and improve their Mandarin language skills.

Mandarin null objects: Topic-binding over argument ellipsis

Abstract This study introduces novel data crucial for evaluating representative analyses of null objects in Mandarin Chinese. It advocates for what this article terms the Topic-bound Variable (TBV) analysis. In the TBV analysis, null objects are treated as variables bound by the topic. This stands in contrast to alternative approaches such as the Argument Ellipsis (AE) analysis, which views null objects as elided arguments. In the AE analysis, the content of these objects is recovered directly from their linguistic context antecedents, not from a topic. This study investigates empirical predictions of the analyses regarding the (un)availability of the sloppy reading and the quantity reading. Through a close examination of aspects of the sloppy reading, this article demonstrates that adjuncts, reflexive possessors, and other elements within the antecedent of a null object can be excluded from the interpretation of the null object. These phenomena pose serious challenges to the AE analysis but are compatible with the TBV analysis, as the mediating topics can yield such interpretive possibilities. In addition, this article finds that the quantity reading can be “turned on and off” by managing the type of topics to be projected, independent of the type of antecedent the null object has. Specifically, I show that the type of the topic—i.e., whether it is a definite- or kind-denoting bare nominal or a licensed numeral phrase topic—is crucial to the interpretation of null objects. The topic’s mediating role in the interpretation of null objects favors the TBV analysis over the AE analysis. This suggests a dissociation between the interpretation of the null object and its antecedent, challenging the empirical foundation of the AE analysis in general.

Language Learning Barriers and Cross-Cultural Communication Strategies in Tibetan Bilingual Education Against the Background of Cultural Differences

This research analyses the intricate hurdles encountered by Tibetan learners trying to learn Mandarin Chinese in the context of bilingual education in the Amdo Tibetan Area of Qinghai, China. Through qualitative research approaches like semi-structured interviews with students and teachers, classroom observations, and document analysis, this research identifies linguistic and cultural barriers that impede effective language learning. It was found that Tibetan students have difficulties relating to the Mandarin language’s phonological elements, character writing, and even its abstract vocabulary when these features are devoid of their cultural contexts and environments. Urban culture curriculum centred on teaching a modern lifestyle creates a cultural gap which leads to low motivation and understanding among learners. This research aims to contribute to the literature through the description of effective cross-cultural communication techniques in the specific context of Tibetan-Mandarin bilingual education, specifically bilingual scaffolding, culturally sensitive pedagogy, and participatory teaching that effectively deal with linguistic problems without erasing cultural identity. The use of Tibetan culture, visual aids, and group work activities that encourage student participation is suggested to enhance student motivation and achievement in the language. This research contributes to bilingual educational policy and practice in China’s ethnic minority regions by proposing that flexible integration of language and culture tends to be more successful in achieving Mandarin proficiency than the more inflexible, monolingual mode of instruction. Relating this study to Chinese Literacy Teaching Theory and social constructivism allows the study to make recommendations for improving bilingual education in culturally diverse settings from a theoretical perspective.

A type-theoretical approach to categorical interaction and complex system adaptation: an empirical study based on register classification

Type theories provide a formal foundation for logic, mathematics, and computing. They have also been applied to the study of language in formal syntax and semantics, such as categorial grammar and Montague semantics. In this paper, we adopt insights from the type-theoretical definition of grammatical categories to model different registers in Mandarin Chinese. Through the modeling study of the classification of registers, we provide empirical evidence for a type-theoretical definition of grammatical categories. Type-theoretical categories are defined as function applications of basic types, unlike set-theoretical categories, which are all defined in terms of membership of different sets. Thus, a type-theoretical approach predicts that dynamic relations such as ratios between category/type pairs will more effectively represent different linguistic systems than distributions of categories. We model the frequency ratios of pairs of categories, similar to unit-constituency ratios, to classify registers. The ratios of all possible pairs among the four major grammatical categories in three different registers are calculated and visualized with boxplots. Linear regression is then applied to investigate how these ratios vary in different registers. Lastly, texts from all registers are clustered according to these ratios. Visualization in the 2-dimensional planes shows that the three registers are successfully classified. In addition, two sub-corpora, the News Co-Broadcasting and Science texts, are separated, even though both belong to the written formal register. Further analyses show that only ratios between categorical pairs with functional application relations are valid predictors. We conclude that a type-theoretical approach captures the categorial dynamics represented by typed functions and is well-equipped to model the nature of languages as complex self-adaptive systems.

Labeling through percolation

Abstract In the field of generative syntax, the literature proposes conceptual notions of labeling or labeling algorithms to interpret the categorization / or parts of speech of a given syntactic object. Building on this mechanism, we put forth the argument that a revised feature percolation principle (FPP) is a necessary supplement to effectively categorize linguistic items, and it should be applied at each merge operation. The study demonstrates that s-selection and categorial features (binary specifications of [V] and [N]) serve the crucial role of labeling from lexical representations to phrasal representations. This process illustrates the categorization process for merge (X, Y) → {H {X, Y}}. To test the minimalist treatment of this principle, we conduct an examination of data from both English and Mandarin Chinese languages. I compare several approaches by which labeling can be done in syntax. These approaches include: (a) through merge (Chomsky 1995), (b) through movement / or minimal search (Chomsky 2013, Epstein et al. 2014, and Rizzi 2012), and (c) through probing (Cecchetto &amp; Donati 2010). Through empirical evidence, this study demonstrates that a feature percolation analysis effectively addresses the issues arising from a minimal search in both merge (XP, YP) and the merge (X, Y) problem. Furthermore, we derive constructions like VP ellipsis and VP fronting. Theoretically, this approach is well-motivated by the principle of compositionality found in linguistic items, and it offers a more economical labeling method. In empirical testing, we apply this configuration and mechanism to examine additional structures.

Patterns of Code-switching in Mandarin Chinese and English and Why Does It Happen

This research examines the phenomenon of code-switching between Mandarin Chinese and English, specifically focusing on the patterns of code-switching in Mandarin Chinese and English, and the underlying reasons. Code-switching is the phenomenon of switching languages within one conversation, or even within one sentence. It has become increasingly common, largely due to the influence of English in areas of academia, professions, and social life. The research studies the cognitive and social functions of code-switching in Mandarin and English. Through a review of existing literature, this paper examines how bilingual speakers manage linguistic diversity, and the implications for education and communication. Pedagogically, teachers employ CW strategically to convey clarity, especially when abstract concepts and terms are involved. Outside of classrooms, younger generations incorporate English words and phrases into everyday speech, influenced by media, global trends, and the need to express modern ideas or emotions more effectively. This paper suggests that further research is needed on the long-term linguistic and cognitive effects caused by code-switching between Mandarin and English, in particular for spontaneous, everyday situations, and across social groups.

Labeling nominal phrases in Mandarin Chinese

Abstract In this paper, we examine the distribution and syntactic properties of two types of nominal modifiers in Mandarin Chinese: de-less modifiers and deP-modifiers. This paper proposes a model for labeling nominal phrases, including relative clauses treated as deP-modifiers. These nominal modifiers exhibit distinct syntactic properties. Under a framework based on labeling, deP-modifiers are analyzed as being merged into a labeled structure, whereas de-less modifiers give rise to an unlabeled structure. Adhering to Labeling Algorithm, our model systematically derives several basic nominal structures in Chinese. In terms of labeling a phrase-phrase merge, feature-sharing may occur between two matched unvalued features. Moreover, we also address ungrammatical sequences in Chinese nominals, ascribing them to either labeling failures or Antilocality. Considering the implications of Antilocality in the derivation, this model suggests a universal syntactic D-layer in Chinese nominals.

Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Mandarin Version of the 10-Item Eating Assessment Tool in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

This study aimed to culturally adapt and validate the Chinese Mandarin version of the 10-Item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10-CM) for Chinese community-dwelling older adults. A total of 346 Chinese community-dwelling older adults participated in this study, with 47 individuals included in the second testing phase. Reliability was assessed through internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Validity analysis covered several aspects: instrument validity, convergent validity, concurrent validity, content validity, and discriminant validity. Instrument validity was assessed by comparing EAT-10-CM scores between participants with and without oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD). Convergent validity was evaluated by comparing the EAT-10-CM with the Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI). Concurrent validity was assessed by comparing the EAT-10-CM with the Penetration-Aspiration Scale. Content validity was examined using the content validity index, based on the input of 10 expert reviewers. Discriminant validity was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to determine the optimal cutoff value. The Cronbach's alpha for the total scale and individual items was > 0.9, indicating excellent internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was assessed using Pearson's correlation analysis, which showed a strong correlation (r > .7), demonstrating good stability over time. Significant differences in EAT-10-CM scores were observed between participants with OD and healthy individuals, supporting the instrument's ability to differentiate between these groups. The EAT-10-CM showed significant correlations with the DHI and the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (p < .001). The content validity index was 0.95 for the scale and ≥ 0.8 for each item. ROC analysis determined an optimal cutoff value of 3.00, with corresponding sensitivity and specificity values of 0.865 and 0.940, respectively. The EAT-10-CM is a culturally adapted and validated instrument specifically for Chinese older adults with good reliability and validity. The optimal cutoff value of 3.00 provides a useful threshold for clinical assessment.

When (not) to establish a new category

Abstract In this paper, we take stock of our linguistic tools to investigate potential markers of the perfect and ‘already’, and challenge the necessity of assuming the existence of the category of iamitives (Olsson 2013). Iamitives are said to have a core meaning of change-of-state, similar to ‘already’, with an additional resultative meaning making it also similar to perfect aspect. We investigate several perfect/iamitive/‘already’ markers in Nafsan, Toqabaqita, Unua, Javanese, and Mandarin Chinese. We argue that characteristics that have been taken as evidence of iamitives can be explained by the interaction between the perfect/‘already’ and the following language-internal mechanisms: (a) aspectual coercion in languages with underspecified verbal aspect can explain the presence of the change-of-state meaning with perfect aspect; (b) paradigmatic blocking can explain the lack of some perfect functions of a given marker in a language; and (c) compatibility in meaning can explain certain overlaps between perfect and ‘already’.

A Comparative Analysis of the Morpho-Syntactic Peculiarities of English Preposition On and Its Equivalents in Tajik and Chinese

The given article dwells on a comparative linguistic analysis focusing on the English preposition on and its functional equivalents in Tajik and Mandarin Chinese. The methodology involves analyzing parallel constructions and contrasting linguistic devices identified through reference grammars, corpora, and specifically through examples drawn from “Reminiscences” Sadriddin Aini for Tajik. The analysis highlights significant divergences: English relies on the polysemous preposition on within a relatively fixed SVO structure; Tajik employs a range of prepositions (bar, dar, ba), postpositions (rūi), circumpositions (dar boloi), and postposition (-ro indirectly interacting with location) within a more flexible SOV structure; Chinese utilizes covers (zài, dào), locative particles (shàng), and verb complements within a topic-prominent SVO structure. The findings underscore how distinct morphological inventories (inflection, agglutination, derivation, lack thereof) and syntactic configurations shape the expression of seemingly universal spatial and abstract concepts.

Chinese “Dialects” and European “Languages”: A Comparison of Lexico-Phonetic and Syntactic Distances

In this article, we tested some specific claims made in the literature on relative distances among European languages and among Chinese dialects, suggesting that some language varieties within the Sinitic family traditionally called dialects are, in fact, more linguistically distant from one another than some European varieties that are traditionally called languages. More generally, we examined whether distances among varieties within and across European language families were larger than those within and across Sinitic language varieties. To this end, we computed lexico-phonetic as well as syntactic distance measures for comparable language materials in six Germanic, five Romance and six Slavic languages, as well as for six Mandarin and nine non-Mandarin (‘southern’) Chinese varieties. Lexico-phonetic distances were expressed as the length-normalized MPI-weighted Levenshtein distances computed on the 100 most frequently used nouns in the 32 language varieties. Syntactic distance was implemented as the (complement of) the Pearson correlation coefficient found for the PoS trigram frequencies established for a parallel corpus of the same four texts translated into each of the 32 languages. The lexico-phonetic distances proved to be relatively large and of approximately equal magnitude in the Germanic, Slavic and non-Mandarin Chinese language varieties. However, the lexico-phonetic distances among the Romance and Mandarin languages were considerably smaller, but of similar magnitude. Cantonese (Guangzhou dialect) was lexico-phonetically as distant from Standard Mandarin (Beijing dialect) as European language pairs such as Portuguese–Italian, Portuguese–Romanian and Dutch–German. Syntactically, however, the differences among the Sinitic varieties were about ten times smaller than the differences among the European languages, both within and across the families—which provides some justification for the Chinese tradition of calling the Sinitic varieties dialects of the same language.

Analysis of Listening Skills in The HSK 4 Test Simulation Among Mandarin Department Students at University in Makassar

This research, titled Analysis of Listening Skills in the HSK 4 Test Simulation Among Mandarin Language Department Students at a University in Makassar, identifies factors or obstacles that may affect the Mandarin language learning of fourth-semester students, particularly in relation to errors made during the HSK 4 listening simulation test, based on results collected through Google Forms and Zoom. Due to a lack of understanding of the question context and audio conversations, many participants made mistakes in answering the questions. This study aims to analyze the listening skills of fourth-semester students in the Mandarin language education program at a university in Makassar in completing the HSK 4 listening simulation test.