The Use of English in Chinese Pop Music; Applying Andrew Moody’s Categories of Language Mixing

Abstract

This study is focused on mapping the functions of English language in Chinese popular music, as well as measuring the extent to which English language is used. From a synthesis of literature describing a range of functions underlying the use of English in other Asian popular cultures, I speculate on what these functions in Chinese popular music could be. Moody (2006) categorizes different types of language mixing with which English use in Japanese popular music can be measured. I will investigate if the same model is applicable to Chinese popular music. From the results of this research, I will argue that one of the types of language mixing - the use of phrases and clauses - is to be regarded as a sub spectrum in which songs can be identified as either containing a limited amount of English sentences, or an extensive use of English sentences. Qualitative assessment of the content in songs with extensive code switching revealed that this seems to be accompanied by cultural mixing. From these findings I will argue that cultural mixing provides a valuable marker to justify and explain the categorical split of the use of phrases and clauses.