Abstract

The paper argues that interlocutors in intercultural interactions rely mainly on co-constructed temporary norms rather than on codified norms of the target language. There is a complex interplay of codified and emergent norms that drives interaction. Temporary norms emerge through temporary communicative extension of the system (TCE) that are expressions, chunks and utterances that violate the existing relatively definable norms and conventions of target language use, but still make sense in actual situational contexts and can be considered possible outputs of the English language system. TCEs function as building blocks for temporary norms, and they can also be building blocks in common ground development. The paper demonstrates these functions through examples in intercultural interactions.

The goal of the project is to produce an authoritative book that covers the research achievements of the field of Chinese as a Second/Foreign Language from a linguistics perspective that can help and promote further research in the field and advance the development of Chinese language teaching methodology. The book will serve not only as a reference book but also as a possible textbook for MA and PhD programs in Chinese as a Second/Foreign Language at universities all over the world. A unique feature of the book is that chapters are written by internationally recognized scholars from all over the world. In most chapters a Chinese and a non-Chinese scholar are paired to produce the text, which helps to give a board research perspective to every topic addressed in the book.

The Global Chinese Education Development Initiative

On October 24th Istvan Kecskes, President of the CASLAR Association signed the Global Chinese Education Development Initiative proposed by ISCLT (International Society of Chinese Language Teaching) at a virtual meeting on October 17th, 2020. The CASLAR Association was one of the 16 invited international organizations on Chinese as a Foreign and/or Second Language that were invited to the meeting. The Global Chinese Education Development Initiative aims to create conditions for bilateral and multilateral cooperation between international Chinese education institutions, sharing resources, and providing more professional and direct help to Chinese learners all over the world. The CASLAR Association strongly supports these endeavors.