摘要
The English language is seen by the Chinese as a tool of significant pragmatic value, both by the individual and the state. Discourse on English language education within China has, both historically and at present, pitted the pragmatic value of English against concerns of cultural and linguistic erosion and imposition. Concerns over the corrupting impact the English language may have on the Chinese language, and further on Chinese culture, uneasily coexist with an acceptance of the English language＇s role as the key to modernization and economic development. Voices of past and present, have at their core a desire for the protection of a reified cultural identity or essence. However, cultural and linguistic influence has not merely been imposed upon China from external forces, but has been actively drawn in by domestic forces. Such domestic forces range from foreign language education policies that meet the demands of a globalized market-driven economy, to a market demand for English language media such as TV programs, movies and literature. Ultimately, the presence and significance of these domestic forces undermines a view of the English language as a vehicle of cultural imperialism in China.
在中国,无论是个人还是国家都把英语看作具有巨大实用价值的工具。无论是历史上还是在现实中,中国国内对英语教育的讨论主要聚焦在英语具有的巨大实用价值与担忧英语侵蚀本国文化和语言这一对矛盾上。有人担忧英语可能对中文,进而对中国文化,造成破坏性的影响;有人把英语视作现代化和经济发展的关键。过去和现在,很多人发出声音,表达了保护中国文化身份和精华的愿望。但是,影响文化和语言的力量不仅仅来自外部,也来自内部的主动引进吸收。这些内部力量包括符合全球化市场经济需求的外语教育政策、市场对电视、电影和文学等媒体的英文节目或内容的需求。最终,这些内部力量的存在及其显著意义破解了那些把英语视作文化帝国主义传播媒介的看法。
