English-Ordered Chinese
English-Ordered Chinese (EOC) is the use of Chinese words to represent the meaning of English phrases and sentences that maintains the order (syntax) of the original English.
As a Learning Tool
EOC was conceived of as a tool to teach beginner's English to Chinese speakers by the Confucius Institute at Michigan State University.
EOC is a way for Chinese speakers with no knowledge of English to discover the similarities and diffences between Chinese and English grammar and syntax. The similarities between Chinese and English (both being analytical languages with canonical subject-verb-object word order) are sufficient for most EOC sentences to be understood by Chinese speakers, with differences also being readily apparent.
EOC can be combined with a gradual replacement of the Chinese words with the original English words. By replacing highly constrained words with English, students are able to guess the meaning of the English words. In this way, in addition to becoming familiar with English syntax and grammar, students can begin to acquire English vocabulary.
In written form, computer technology can also be used provide students with multiple choices to demonstrate knowledge of English vocabulary (using, for example, a pull-down menu on each English word) with feedback provided as to whether the choice was correct or incorrect. By gradually replacing the Chinese words of EOC with their original English words, Chinese-speaking students can develop the ability to learn and/or orally understand English.
See also
- English studies
- Formal written English
- List of languages
- American English
- List of dialects of the English language
Social, cultural or political
- English as an additional language
- English on the Internet
- Foreign language influences in English
- Languages in the United States
- Lists of English words of international origin