English acronyms not welcome

The use of English acronyms has been increasing at an alarming rate among Chinese people in recent years. The number of English acronyms has increased from 39 in the fourth edition of Modern Chinese Dictionary to 239 in the sixth. Some experts fear that unfettered use of such acronyms is detrimental to the development of the Chinese language, says an article in People's Daily. Excerpts:

English language has had a massive impact on young Chinese people over the past two to three decades. Though the use of English acronyms has become a global trend, its unfettered use in China will harm the purity of the Chinese language.

People cannot be stopped from using English acronyms in their normal conversation. And professionals will have to use technical words in English but measures should be taken to ensure that their use doesn't influence the development of the Chinese language.

The use of English acronyms in the public domain should be forbidden. The Law on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language specifically states that in sectors such as State organs, publishing, broadcasting and public services, putonghua in standardized Chinese characters should be used as the official language. Acronyms in any foreign language obviously have no place in official communication.

The use of foreign acronyms is welcome but they should be translated into easy-to-use Chinese terms. The use of Chinese terms for English acronyms will not only facilitate the development of the Chinese language, but also help people who don't understand English to know what they mean.

It is thus necessary to implement certain regulations and restrictions on the use of foreign acronyms to maintain the sanctity of the Chinese language.

(China Daily 01/15/2013 page9)