**Title: “City不City: How Did Chinese and English Come Together?”**
**— An Interview with Chen Fang, Associate Dean of Yunnan University’s School of Chinese Language Education**
**Interviewer: Han Shuainan, China News Service**

This year, the number of foreign tourists visiting China has been on the rise, and a catchy phrase “City不City啊” coined by a foreign social media influencer has taken social media by storm in both China and abroad. The phrase, which can be described as “addictive” and “catchy,” has become a popular expression, evolving into an adjective that implies “urbanization, stylishness, or novelty,” and even “excitement.”

Why has this mixed-use of Chinese and English caught the attention of both Chinese and international netizens? What changes have occurred in the international dissemination of the Chinese language in recent years? How can Mandarin become more globally recognized? Recently, China News Service had the opportunity to interview Chen Fang, Associate Dean of the School of Chinese Language Education at Yunnan University, to explore these questions.

**China News Service Reporter:** What about the “City不City” phrase appeals to both Chinese and foreign netizens?

**Chen Fang:** The phrase “City不City啊” originated from a foreign influencer known as “Bao Bao Xiong” who adopted it as a signature way of engaging his audience in a series of short videos, turning it into a memorable brand for himself.

We can interpret “City不City” as a Chinese sentence with an inserted English word. In daily conversations, people often say things like “开心不开心啊？” or “你高不高兴啊？”— this “something不something” structure is a classic example of Chinese syntax.

The emergence of the “City不City” phrase aligns with the conventional characteristics of language. Here, “City,” which means “城市” (city) in Chinese, is used as an adjective, translating to “urbanized,” or extending to meanings like “trendy” and even “astounding.” The influencer has skillfully combined the adjective feature of some English nouns into a Chinese sentence structure to create this fusion.

Both Chinese citizens and foreign friends can find recognizable elements within this phrase, making it easier for them to understand and accept it. The popularity of “City不City” reflects the collision, communication, and melding of different cultures.

There’s also a deeper reason behind its popularity. Some people interpret “City” as “洋气” (stylish or modern). This term has evolved from its original meaning in the late Qing Dynasty, which referred to Western culture. Today, it signifies the style associated with Chinese urban development, reflecting foreign admiration for the rapid growth of Chinese cities. This year, “City不City” may even become synonymous with the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, representing the trend of popular phrases.

**China News Service Reporter:** What are some other examples of language fusion between Chinese and Western languages?

**Chen Fang:** The blending of Western and Chinese languages is a common phenomenon. Words are often borrowed through phonetic and semantic translation. For instance, the Chinese term “霸凌” comes from the English “bully,” while “乌托邦” corresponds to “utopia.” In contemporary Chinese, transliterations like “jiaozi” for dumplings have even made their way into the Oxford English Dictionary.

With the influence of modern media and the internet, we see an increase in “fusion” vocabulary that reflects the understanding and acceptance of different cultural groups. The term “UP主,” which many might not realize is derived from “uploader,” cleverly combines English and Chinese morphological elements.

**China News Service Reporter:** How has Chinese impacted the evolution of other languages?

**Chen Fang:** Language is based on consensus, with each ethnic group’s language serving as its unique expression while encapsulating universal emotions and understanding. Chinese, as one of the world’s oldest languages, also reflects the history of human language evolution.

From the Han to the Tang Dynasties, many Sanskrit words entered Chinese through Buddhism, becoming part of the everyday vocabulary, such as “刹那.” Historically, languages like Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese have absorbed significant amounts of Chinese vocabulary—illustrated by terms like “汉越词” (Sino-Vietnamese words).

In modern times, the integration of foreign words and grammatical structures has also spurred developments in contemporary Mandarin, incorporating many English and Japanese loanwords in various fields. For instance, the term “经济” (economy) is believed to have originated from the Japanese adaptation of classical Chinese.

Some have translated “City不City” as “摩登不摩登,” where “摩登,” meaning modern, connects back to “modern” in English, demonstrating a cycle of linguistic interaction and fusion.

Moreover, Chinese encompasses various dialects, which have developed through a rich history of cultural exchange and integration, producing what some might consider “living fossils” of language evolution. For instance, Southwestern Mandarin is a northern dialect spoken in regions like Sichuan and Yunnan, providing insights into the complexities of linguistic and cultural interaction.

**China News Service Reporter:** What changes have you observed in the international dissemination of Chinese in recent years?

**Chen Fang:** The most significant change is that an increasing number of foreigners are playing key roles in the international dissemination of the Chinese language. Especially among non-native Chinese learners, these individuals have become emerging agents of the language. In some countries, local teachers and materials in Chinese education are becoming the norm, with many establishing their own schools to teach Chinese to local communities.

Moreover, short videos that showcase Chinese culture and travel experiences are frequently trending on international platforms, with foreigners actively promoting Chinese culture. This proactive approach to sharing is both a notable and a positive change.

**China News Service Reporter:** How can Mandarin further globalize?

**Chen Fang:** The internationalization of Mandarin is an inevitable trend. Different cultural groups require language exchange for mutual understanding and emotional connection. As the most widely spoken language in the world, Chinese is a shared linguistic treasure with considerable potential for internationalization.

For Mandarin to truly globalize, there needs to be responsiveness to and engagement with change. The best time for language learning often occurs in youth. There’s an old Chinese saying: “读万卷书，行万里路” (Read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles). When young people from various countries come to China, engage with Chinese culture, and develop their insights, they become true beneficiaries and advocates of Mandarin’s internationalization, collectively advancing the prosperity of diverse civilizations.

For instance, the “Chinese Bridge” international college student Chinese competition, inaugurated in 2002, has become a bridge of youth friendship and cultural exchange. Over the years, Yunnan University has organized summer camps for Thai students, providing opportunities for young Thais to learn Mandarin and experience Chinese culture. In the future, Yunnan University will increase the frequency of these camps to help more foreign youth discover China.

The “City不City” phenomenon this summer has sparked reflections on the internationalization of Mandarin. It’s clear that real interactions and exchanges provide a solid foundation for this process.

On one hand, the use of language requires specific contexts, necessitating the incorporation of Mandarin into representative fields such as tourism and commerce. This will enhance the social service function of the language, elevating its application value and advocating for its recognition as an official language by international organizations, allowing it to serve the socio-economic development of more countries.

On the other hand, we must consciously view Mandarin as a vital component of global language education aimed at fostering international understanding. This means taking proactive roles, participating actively in language application contexts, and deepening cross-cultural cooperation concerning Mandarin’s internationalization.