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SCMP Reporter

A new Chinese-language dictionary has attracted attention with slang terms such as the equivalent of 'pick up chicks'.

The Xinhua New Phrases Dictionary includes 2,200 phrases that had entered the Chinese language since the 1990s, local media reported.

Examples are bobozu, meaning Bourgeois Bohemians, and a literal translation of Bluetooth technology.

An editor with the Business Printing House, which expects to release the dictionary as early as next week, said the inclusion of modern slang met the demands of society.

Some entries define society's racier side, for example bao er nai, or keeping a mistress, and pao niu, which means pick up chicks.

The use of these modern phrases, especially the earthier ones, is causing some controversy, but most support the dictionary.

Cao Zhiyun, a language researcher with Beijing Language and Culture University, said: 'The normal traditional dictionary isn't very mature - traditional means backwards. The specialty of this one is to reflect the newest, the most recent situation.'

He said language that was insulting or of a sexual nature had been studied before but not compiled in a dictionary.

Although everyone already knew what these phrases meant, a dictionary would be good for studying origins and precise meanings, the Beijing academic said.

Fu You, a Chinese teacher at People's University, said suggestive words in a dictionary did not legitimise the behaviour they described. 'This issue has been extremely exaggerated. It's all quite normal,' she said.

Xu Ying, a Chinese-language reporter in Beijing, said adults should easily accept such words and phrases because they were used to publicise sex and Aids education.

However, she said children under 10 should be barred from buying the dictionary.

The Beijing Youth Daily  yesterday reported the Ministry of Education approved of putting 'keeping a mistress' in the dictionary.

But the newspaper said other language experts were critical of the dictionary, suggesting language standards needed to be maintained.



Dictionary shows how to pick up trends