April Zhang

Opinion | China’s scientific breakthroughs can lead to linguistic ones too

While English is used in most global scientific exchanges, publishing more papers in Chinese could facilitate linguistic innovation and inclusion

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The returner of the Chang’e-6 lunar probe is opened during a ceremony at the China Academy of Space Technology in Beijing, China, on June 26. Photo: Xinhua

April Zhang

Published: 9:30am, 18 Dec 2024

In June, new frontiers opened when the Chang’e-6 probe mission brought back the first-ever samples from the far side of the moon and triggered a debate in the scientific community on what language the historic findings should be written in – English or Chinese.

A pupil at Fangcaodi International School, which specialises in science education, suggested publishing in English first for global scientific collaboration and then in Chinese for national awareness.

The boy raised a great point. However, I would change the order with the following justification. Papers should be published in Chinese first for the advancement of the Chinese language and then in English for global scientific collaboration.

The paper was published in September under the auspices of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Unfortunately, it was written in English without a Chinese translation. The young pupil was probably disappointed that Chinese students with a limited grasp of the English language were excluded from reading the findings themselves to learn about the latest discoveries. For me, it was a lost opportunity for the Chinese language to evolve with time.

It is understandable that researchers would want to publish in English. Since the 1950s, English has become the lingua franca of the international scientific community. Up to 98 per cent of scientific research published is in English. Using English is undoubtedly conducive to exchanging and disseminating knowledge in today’s world.

However, Chinese scientists and researchers can do more than just exchange and disseminate information. They can help advance the Chinese language.