Perspectives and Trends in Foreign Language Policies in China: The Case of Portuguese

Júlio Reis Jatobá

doi:10.17533/udea.ikala.356580

Authors

Júlio Reis Jatobá University of Macau, Macau, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.ikala.356580

Keywords:

geopolitics, Chinese foreign policy, language planning, Portuguese language

Abstract

This case study aims to provide a review of language policies pertaining to foreign language teaching in China through the lens of China's geopolitical position and its self-perception as one of the leaders and most active actors in developing South-South cooperation. From an initial study of 127 academic materials, documents, and news articles containing explicit or implicit references to policies, initiatives, or proposals related to the development and planning of less commonly taught foreign languages —Portuguese among them— at the tertiary level, 35 sources were selected for further analysis of the relationship between foreign language education and China’s foreign policy. These sources shed light on the multifaceted nature of language policies in China, particularly in relation to foreign language teaching. Ultimately, this analysis seeks to identify patterns, developments, and implications for China's foreign language instruction approach.

|Abstract

= 79 veces | PDF

= 52 veces| | EPUB

= 3 veces|

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Júlio Reis Jatobá, University of Macau, Macau, China

Senior Instructor of Translation Studies, University of Macau, Macau.

References

Adamson, B. (2004). China's English: A history of English in Chinese education (vol. 1). Hong Kong University Press.

Biato Junior, O. (2010). A parceria estratégica Sino-Brasileira: origens, evolução e perspectivas (1993-2006) [The Sino-Brazilian strategic partnership: Origins, evolution and perspectives (1993-2006)] (vol. 473). MRE, Fundação Alexandre de Gusmão.

China. (2010). 国家中长期人才发展规划纲要(2010－2020年) [Outlines of the national medium and long-term talent development plan (2010–2020)]. Xin Hua (accessed on 2022/05/12). http://www.gov.cn/jrzg/2010-06/06/content_1621777.htm

Dai, M. C. (2016). 我国外语人才需求抽样调查 [Survey on the need for foreign language talents in China]. Foreign Language Teaching and Research (bimonthly), 48(4), 614–624.

Dai, W. D., & Wang, X. M. (2011). 对经济全球化背景下我国外语教育规划的再思考 [Revisting foreign language education planning in China under the background of globalization]. Beijing: Foreign Languages in China, 8(2), 4–11.

Devecioglu, K., & Akçomak, D. (2024). China’s Africa policy during the Xi Jinping Era (2012–2022). ChronAfrica, 1(1), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.62841/ChronAfrica.2024.196

Ding, C. (2017). 对我国高校外语非通用语种类专业建设现状的观察分析 [Observation and analysis of the current situation of the less commonly taught foreign languages education in China]. Foreign Language Education in China (Quarterly), 10(4), 3–8.

Dong, X. X. (2016). 我国欧洲非通用语教育存在的问题和建议 [The problems of lesser-used European languages education in China and some relevant advice]. Beijing: Journal of Language Planning, (2), 68–75.

Eastman, C. M. (2009[1983]). Language planning: An introduction. Chandler & Sharp Pub.

Fernandes, C. I. P. (2013). China hoje – Necessidades energéticas e relações internacionais: As relações com os países de língua portuguesa [China today—Energy needs and international relations: Relations with Portuguese-Speaking countries]. (Phd Thesis). Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa.

Fu, M. R., & Wu, A. P. (2018). “一带一路”建设的语言人才需求及高职院校应对方略 [The demand for language talents in the construction of the “Belt and Road” and higher vocational colleges]. Chinese Vocational and Technical Education [中国职业技术教育], 20, 5–11.

Garcez, P. d. M., & Schulz, L. (2016). ReVEL na Escola: do que tratam as políticas linguísticas [ReVEL at School: What language policies are about]. ReVEL, 14(26), 1–19.

Gaspar, R. M. L. (2018). Portugal e o Porto de Sines na grande estratégia geoeconómica chinesa: A Belt and Road initiative [Portugal and the Port of Sines in the great Chinese geoeconomic strategy: The Belt and Road initiative]. (Master’s dissertation). Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa.

Gu, X. M., Lin, Z. J., Zhi, L. G., Wei, Z., & Liu, W. H. (Eds.). (2018). 中国与葡语国家经贸合作发展报告(2017～2018) [Progress report on economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese speaking countries (2017–2018)]. Social Sciences Academic Press.

Han, T. G. (2019). 中国葡萄牙语人才培养质量与路径分析[Analysis of the path and quality of Portuguese language talent training in China]. In X. J. Shang & H. Ding (Eds.), 葡语国家黄皮书：中国与葡语国家合作发展报告 [Report on cooperation and development between China and Portuguese speaking countries] (pp. 206–218). Social Sciences Academic Press.

Jatobá, J. R. (2015). Políticas linguística e externa chinesa: um breve panorama do ensino de LEs e do PLE na China [Chinese language and foreign policies: a brief overview of foreign language and PFL teaching in China]. Revista da SIPLE, 8(1), 54-71. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wrjhQk-DgRGXrFBaz3WCVTv1NxQ1aWCN/view

Jatobá, J. R. (2017). Políticas linguística e externa chinesa: o caso do PLE [Chinese linguistic and foreign policies: the case of PFL]. In J. C. Vanzelli, I. O. Chaves, & H. G. Teixeira (Eds.), Estudos brasileiros na Ásia: língua, literatura e cultura. Editora UFV.

Jatobá, J. R. (2020). Política e planejamento linguístico na China: promoção e ensino da língua portuguesa [Language policy and planning in China: Promotion and teaching of the Portuguese language] (PhD Thesis). University of Macau, Macau, China.

Jatobá, J. R. (2023a). Geopolitics and language planning: Challenges in a post-pandemic world. ISOLEC, Proceedings of the International Seminar on Language, Education, and Culture (ISOLEC 2022), 177-189. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-038-1_20

Jatobá, J. R. (2023b). O valor da língua portuguesa na China: políticas e perspectivas [The value of the Portuguese language in China: Policies and perspectives]. In M. L. Ortiz, C. Gaspar, S. Santos, & J. Zhang (Eds.), As vozes da língua portuguesa em seus contextos: encontros e diálogos interculturais (pp. 311–346). Editora Pontes.

Jatobá, J. R., & Shang, X. J. (2019). 在华葡语社区继承语现状研究——以东莞巴西人社区为例 [Research on the heritage language in Portuguese-speaking countries in China: A case study of the Brazilian community in Dongguan]. In X. J. Shang & H. Ding (Eds.), 中国与葡语国家合作发展报告（2017-2018）Report on cooperation and development between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (2017-2018) (pp. 219–230). Social Sciences Academic Press.

Jatobá, J. R., Sun, Y. Q., & Lu, C. H. (Eds.). (2021). 中巴合作與巴西問題研究 [Studies on Sino-Brazilian cooperation and issues concerning Brazil]. University of Macau.

Jernudd, B. H., & Das Gupta, J. (1971). Towards a theory of language planning. In J. Rubin & B. H. Jernudd (Eds.), Can language be planned? Sociolinguistic Theory and Practice for Developing Nations (pp. 195–215). The University Press of Hawai’i. https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/b048eb9c-d2e8-49aa-84ad-d41b27c65299/content

Kang, J. G. (2010). 中国外语规划与政策 [Chinese foreign language planning and policy]. Beijing: China electric power education, 2010(19), 193–195.

Kaplan, R. B., & Baldauf, R. B. J. (1997). Language planning: from practice to theory (vol. 108). Multilingual Matters. https://doi.org/10.21832/9781800418059

Lam, A. S. L. (2005). Language education in China: Policy and experience from 1949. Hong Kong University Press. https://doi.org/10.5790/hongkong/9789622097506.001.0001

Li, C. S. (2012). Ensino da língua portuguesa na República Popular da China durante a década de 60 do século XX [Teaching of the Portuguese language in the People's Republic of China during the 1960s]. In C. W. Hao & Z. Honglin (Eds.), Actas 1º Fórum Internacional de ensino de língua portuguesa na China: em comemoração dos 50 anos do curso de língua portuguesa na Universidade de Estudos Estrangeiros de Pequim (pp. 35–42). Macau: Instituto Politécnico de Macau.

Li, C. S. (2015). Nova expansão da língua portuguesa na China [New expansion of the Portuguese language in China]. In H. I. Lei & Z. Wu (Eds.), Actas 2º Fórum Internacional do ensino da língua portuguesa na China (pp. 51–74). Instituto Politécnico de Macau, Macau.

Li, C. S. (2017). A língua portuguesa e a estratégia económica de “Uma faixa e uma rota” [The Portuguese language and the economic strategy of “One Belt and One Road”]. Paper presented at the Actas do 3º fórum internacional do ensino da língua portuguesa na China, Beijing.

Li, C. S. (2018). 中国（澳门）高等院校葡语人才培养的现状与特征 [Current situation and characteristics of Portuguese language talent training in schools and universities in China (Macao)]. In X. M. Gu, Z. J. Lin, L. G. Zhi, Z. Wei, & W. H. Liu (Eds.), 中国与葡语国家经贸合作发展报告(2017–2018) [Progress report on economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese speaking countries (2017–2018)]. Social Sciences Academic Press.

Li, D. H. (2014). Análise do mercado de trabalho para profissionais de PLE na China Continental [Analysis of the job market for PLE professionals in Mainland China]. Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou.

Li, Y. C., & Vicente, M. B. (2020). The Chinese partnerships and “the Belt and Road” initiative: A synergetic affiliation. In F. J. B. S. Leandro & P. A. B. Duarte (Eds.), The Belt and Road initiative: An old archetype of a new development model (pp. 203–235). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2564-3_9

Lin, P. (2011). English language ideologies in the Chinese foreign language education policies: A world-system perspective. Language Policy, 10(3), 245–263. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10993-011-9205-8

Liu, D., & Hu, J. Y. (2016). 一带一路” 战略下非通用语言政策改革新思考 [An insight into the reform of non-common language policy under the "One Belt and One Road" strategy]. The Border Economy and Culture (8), 91–93.

Liu, G. (2015). Planeamento do ensino de português língua estrangeira na China [Planning the teaching of Portuguese as a foreign language in China]. In L. H. Iok & W. Zhiliang (Eds.), Actas 2º Fórum Internacional do ensino da língua portuguesa na China (pp. 111 Macau: 132). Macau: Instituto Politécnico de Macau.

Liu, H. T. (2006). 语言规划和语言政策——从定义变迁看学科发展 [Review of the development of language policy and planning from the perspective of the evolution of its definition]. In M. d. E. d. C. (MOE) (Ed.), 语言规划的理论和实践 [Theory and practice of language planning] (pp. 55–60). Beijing Language and Culture Press.

Lu, C. H. (2018). 中国内地葡语教学的现状与未来 [The current situation and future of Portuguese language teaching in mainland China]. In C. A. Wang, M. Zhang, J. L. Liu, C. Y. An, & Z. X. Zhao (Eds.), 葡语国家蓝皮书葡语国家发展报告（2016–2017）[The blue book of Portuguese Speaking Countries: reports on the development of portuguese-speaking countries (2016–2017)] (pp. 50–63). Social Sciences Academic Press.

Magner, T. F. (1974). The study of foreign languages in China. The Modern Language Journal, 58(8), 384–391. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1974.tb05130.x

Mao, L. M., & Min, Y. (2004). Foreign language education in PRC: A brief overview. In M. L. Zhou & H. k. Sun (Eds.), Language policy in the People’s Republic of China: Theory and practice since 1949 (vol. 4). Kluwer.

Observatório da Língua Portuguesa. (2016, January 21). Português, a língua mais falada no Hemisfério Sul [Portuguese, the most spoken language in the Southern Hemisphere] Dados estatísticos (acessado em 3 de agosto de 2019). http://observalinguaportuguesa.org/portugues-a-lingua-mais-falada-no-hemisferio-sul/

Oliveira, G. M. d. (2013). Política linguística e internacionalização: a língua portuguesa no mundo globalizado do século XXI [Language policy and internationalization: the Portuguese language in the globalized world of the 21st century]. Trabalhos em Linguística Aplicada, 52(2), 409–433. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-18132013000200010

Oliveira, G. M. d. (2016). O sistema de normas e a evolução demolinguística da língua portuguesa [The standards system and the demolinguistic evolution of the Portuguese language]. In M. L. Á. Ortiz & L. Gonçalves (Eds.), Mundo do português e o português no mundo afora: especificidades, implicações e ações (pp. 25–43). Pontes.

Pestana, L. F. (2019). O ensino da língua portuguesa no âmbito da iniciativa 'faixa e rota' [Teaching Portuguese as part of the 'Belt and Road' initiative]. Diacrítica, 32(2), 365–385. https://doi.org/10.21814/diacritica.446

Pires, L. T. A. (2023). Análise do atual planeamento e políticas de Português língua estrangeira na China: comparação com o caso do Espanhol língua estrangeira e recomendações para planeamento e políticas articuladas [Analysis of current planning and policies for Portuguese as a foreign language in China: Comparison with the case of Spanish as a foreign language and recommendations for coordinated planning and policies]. (PhD Thesis). Universidade Aberta, Lisboa.

Pires, M. D. J. (2022a). Os desafios do ensino de português na parte continental da China [The challenges of teaching Portuguese in mainland China]. Linhas Criticas, 28, e43185. https://doi.org/10.26512/lc28202243185

Pires, M. D. J. (2022b). Português na China: os números do ensino superior [Portuguese in China: Higher education figures]. Revista Thema, 21(3), 602–614. https://doi.org/10.15536/thema.V21.2022.602-614.2442

Pires, M. D. J. (2022c). Português, língua acêntrica: Reflexões pela mão do ensino de PLE na China [Portuguese, an acentric language: Reflections on the teaching of PFL in China]. Revista EntreLinguas, 8(0), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.29051/el.v8i00.15412

Qian, X. J. (2018). 一带一路" 视域下福建省外语教育政策与规划研究 [A study on foreign language education policy and planning in Fujian Province China from the perspective of “The Belt and Road”]. Journal of Changchun Institute of Technology (Social Sciences Edition), 19(2), 97–100.

Ross, H. (1992). Foreign language education as a barometer of modernization. In R. Hayhoe (Ed.), Education and modernization: The Chinese experience (vol. 11, pp. 239–254). Pergamon Press.

Shang, X. J. (2021). 一带一路”背景下高校葡语人才培养的思考 [Thinking about the cultivation of Portuguese-speaking talents in universities under the background of “One Belt and One Road”]. In J. R. Jatobá, Y. Q. Sun, & C. H. Lu (Eds.), 中巴合作與巴西問題研究 [Studies on Sino-Brazilian cooperation and issues concerning Brazil]. University of Macau.

Shang, X. J. (2023). Currículo e multiletramentos: um estudo de caso numa universidade chinesa [Curriculum and multiliteracies: A case study in a Chinese university]. (PhD Thesis). University of Macau, Macau.

Shang, X. J., & Ding, H. (Eds.). (2019). 葡语国家黄皮书：中国与葡语国家合作发展报告 [Report on cooperation and development between China and Portuguese-speaking countries]. Social Sciences Academic Press.

Shen, Q., & Xia, T. (2014). 论语言战略与国家利益的维护与拓展 [On language strategy and safeguard of national interest]. Xinjiang: Journal of Xinjiang Normal University (Edition of Philosophy and Social Sciences), 35(4), 112–118.

Shu, D. F. (2013). 关于我国外语教育规划与布局的思考 [Thoughts on the planning and layout of foreign language education in China]. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research (bimonthly), 45(3), 426–435.

Sun, Q., & Liu, B. C. (2018). “一带一路” 倡议下非通用语人才培养现状与发展路径研究 [The situation and development for the talents with less commonly taught languages under the background of the Belt and Road Initiative]. Beijing: China Higher Education Research(8), 41–46.

The State Council of China. (2015, March 30). Action plan on the Belt and Road Initiative (Full text), accessed July 23, 2022. . http://english.gov.cn/archive/publications/2015/03/30/content_281475080249035.htm

Vilaça, G. V. (2018). Strengthening the cultural and normative foundations of the Belt and Road Initiative: The Colombo plan, Yan Xuetong and Chinese ancient thought. In W. H. Shan, K. Nuotio, & K. L. Zhang (Eds.), Normative readings of the Belt and Road Initiative: Roads to new paradigms (pp. 7–41). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78018-4_2

Wang, C. A., & Zhang, M. (Eds.). (2015). 葡语国家蓝皮书葡语国家发展报告（2014–2015）[The blue book of Portuguese-speaking countries: Reports on the development of Portuguese-speaking countries (2014–2015)]. Social Sciences Academic Press.

Wang, C. A., Zhang, M., & Liu, J. L. (Eds.). (2017). 葡语国家蓝皮书葡语国家发展报告（2015–2016） [The blue book of Portuguese-speaking countries: Reports on the development of Portuguese-speaking countries (2015–2016)]. Social Sciences Academic Press.

Wang, C. A., Zhang, M., Liu, J. L., An, C. Y., & Zhao, Z. X. (Eds.). (2018). 葡语国家蓝皮书葡语国家发展报告（2016–2017） [The blue book of Portuguese speaking countries: reports on the development of portuguese-speaking countries (2016–2017)]. Social Sciences Academic Press.

Wang, M. Y. (2017). 一带一路”建设与语言战略构建 [The Belt and Road Initiative and language strategy construction]. Foreign Language Education in China 中国外语教育（季刊）, 10(1), 3–7.

Wen, Q. F. (2016). 一带一路” 语言人才的培养 [Producing language-qualified personnel for "the Belt and Road Initiatives"]. Beijing: Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning, 6(2), 26–32.

Yan, Q. R. (2017). 中国内地与澳门特区及葡语国家在葡语专业教育领域的合作 [Cooperation between Mainland China, the Macao SAR and Portuguese-speaking Countries in the areas of Portuguese language teaching]. In C. A. Wang, M. Zhang, & J. L. Liu (Eds.), 葡语国家蓝皮书葡语国家发展报告（2015–2016）[The blue book of Portuguese-speaking countries - Reports on the development of Portuguese-speaking countries (2015–2016)] (pp. 44–58). Social Sciences Academic Press.

Ye, Z. L. (2012). O que fazer para que o ensino de português na BFSU atenda melhor às necessidades do mercado de trabalho? [What can be done to ensure that Portuguese language teaching at BFSU better meets the needs of the job market?]. In W. H. Choi & H. L. Zhao (Eds.), Actas do 1º Fórum Internacional de Ensino de Língua Portuguesa na China (pp. 192–198). Macau/Pequim: Instituto Politécnico de Macau. https://cpclp.mpu.edu.mo/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/e_Actas_1_Forum_Internacional_Lingua_Portuguesa_China.pdf

Ye, Z. L. (2014). Algumas considerações sobre a expansão do ensino da língua portuguesa na China [Some considerations on the expansion of Portuguese language teaching in China]. In M. J. Grosso & A. P. C. Godinho (Eds.), O português na China: ensino e investigação (pp. 42–54). Lidel.

Yu, X. (2012). Text memorisation in Chinese foreign language education. Peter Lang. https://doi.org/10.3726/978-3-0351-0364-9

Zhang, R. P. (2015). 服务于 “一带一路” 的语言规划构想 [Useful language planning efforts for "the Belt and Road Initiative"]. Journal of Yunnan Normal University (Humanities and Social Sciences), 47(4), 48–53.

Zhang, R. P., & Liu, S. J. (2017). “一带一路” 语言规划与全球语言生活治理 [Language planning for“the Belt and Road Initiative”and governance of global language life]. Xinjiang: Journal of Xinjiang Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences), 38(6), 93–102.

Zhang, X. (2019). 葡语国家和地区“孔子学院”在中国文化传播中的功能探究——以巴西为例 [The role of the Confucius Institute in Portuguese-speaking countries in promoting Chinese culture: A case study of Brazil]. In X. J. Shang & H. Ding (Eds.), 葡语国家黄皮书：中国与葡语国家合作发展报告（2019） [Report on cooperation and development between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (2019)] (pp. 143–159). Social Sciences Academic Press.

Zhang, X. M., & Xu, C. F. (2007). The late Qing dynasty diplomatic transformation: Analysis from an ideational perspective. The Chinese Journal of International Politics, 1(3), 405–445. https://doi.org/10.1093/cjip/pom004

Zhang, Z. G. (2011). 中国的关键外语探讨 [Critical foreign languages to China]. Foreign Language Teaching and Research (bimonthly), 43(1), 66–74.

Zhang, Z. G. (2016). 一带一路” 建设中的语言问题 [The language issue in the Belt and Road Initiative]. Applied Linguistics(4), 2–9.

Zhao, H., & Xu, H. B. (2016). 新丝绸之路经济带下的甘肃高校外语教育政策思考 [On foreign language teaching policy of Gansu under the strategy of New Silk Road]. Journal of Lanzhou Jiaotong University, 35(2), 107–110.

Zhao, S. J. (2015). “一带一路” 建设的语言需求及服务对策 [Language needs for the construction of "The Belt and Road Initiative" and its services]. Yunnan: Journal of Yunnan Normal University (Humanities and Social Sciences), 47(4), 36–42.