Chinese, a Low Variety of Language in China
DENG Yunfei

Abstract
Diglossia, a sociolinguistic term, refers to the phenomenon in which two varieties of language co-exist in a relatively stable language situation, with one a “high” variety (H) and the other a “low” variety (L). English mania in China has bred concerns about Chinese being neglected and even replaced by English in prominence. Measures have been taken to reduce the weight of score allocation of English and increase that of Chinese in the Senior High School Entrance Exam and the College Entrance Examination. This paper discusses issues of English’s status in China since 1949, the contributions English made to Chinese and the co-existence of English and Chinese, expounding that as one of the members of WTO, and the initiator of the notion of “OBOR”, China should be open-minded, discarding the misgivings about English. English, as an international language, plays an important role in every field of China. China should go on strengthening not weakening the learning the research of it.

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