A Study of the Use of Chinese Idioms by Chinese Special Students (With Special Reference to Students of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka)

Abstract

Owing to the rapid development of China’s diplomatic relationships with South Asia, tendency of foreign students to learn Chinese language has equally increased. Among the Chinese language learning institutes in Sri Lanka, University of Kelaniya and the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka are the only government universities which provide the four year special degree in Chinese language. Chinese language is rich with a large amount of various phrases and expressions of socio-cultural backgrounds. Chinese idioms could be identified as some of the key components of such phrases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of Chinese idioms by Chinese language special students of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka and to bring forth pedagogical implications governing the teaching of Chinese idioms. A questionnaire and worksheet were distributed among 36 students in order to collect primary data. Secondary data were collected through extensive reference of relevant research articles, books, HSK mock test materials, the Advanced Level Chinese syllabus and websites published in both China and Sri Lanka. 24 idioms were tested in the worksheet under five questions representing five levels in order to test the knowledge of idioms of students. Idioms taught in the translation course unit and commonly used idioms were used in order to create questions in the worksheet. The study has identified that although students have obtained some knowledge of idioms taught in the class, it is not enough for a student who reads for a special degree in Chinese language. Furthermore, students have recognized idioms as a sentence but not as a phrase with cultural and historical values. Major suggestions the researcher has brought were making more study materials available for students, including idiom stories for comprehension passages, show cartoons related to idioms within the classroom in order to improve idiom knowledge of students and delivering more opportunities for students to interact with native speakers besides the classroom.