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The Formation of Chinglish from the Perspective of Psycholinguistics

Linguistics / 2025,7(3): 165-173 / 2025-07-18 35 11

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• Authors: Xuanru Kong
• Information:

  Heilongjiang University, Harbin

• Keywords:
  Chinglish; psycholinguistics; language transfer; conceptual transfer; bilingualism; Second Language Acquisition (SLA); revised hierarchical model; competition model
• Abstract: Chinglish is a unique mixture of Chinese linguistic structures and English vocabulary prevalent among Chinese learners and users of English. However, from a psycholinguistic perspective, its formation is a complex and natural cognitive process rooted in bilingual language processing. This paper explores the formation of Chinglish through key psycholinguistic frameworks: language transfer (especially conceptual transfer), competition model, bilingual memory representations (especially the revised hierarchical model), and the role of cognitive load and processing constraints. The analysis shows that the production of Chinglish does not simply stem from ignorance but from an active interplay between deeply ingrained cognitive patterns in the first language (Mandarin), evolving competence in the second language (English), and the cognitive demands of real-time language production. Understanding these psycholinguistic mechanisms allows for a more nuanced view of Chinese English that can transcend the deficit model and shed light on pedagogies that accommodate and leverage bilingual cognition.
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.35534/lin.0702016
• Cite: Kong, X. R. (2025). The Formation of Chinglish from the Perspective of Psycholinguistics. Linguistics, 7(3), 165-173.