Academic register: 进行, 加以, 所谓, 而言, 层面, 机制
How analytical Chinese turns actions into nouns, frames claims and uses the words of scholarship.
Part of the free C2 Chinese course (about HSK 6 and above). Examples are in Simplified characters, with pinyin only for some new or hard words; press the speaker to hear one with your device's Chinese voice.
Nominalised arguments
Academic Chinese, like academic English, turns actions into nouns. Instead of "we analysed the data", it says "an analysis of the data was carried out". Two verbs do most of this work:
- 进行 (jìnxíng) + two-character verb: 进行研究, 进行分析, 进行调查. The object moves in front with 对: 对这一问题进行研究.
- 加以 (jiāyǐ) + two-character verb: 加以说明, 加以改进, 加以区分. Also with 对 for the object.
- 本文对这一现象进行了分析。This paper analyses this phenomenon.
- 我们对原有方案加以改进。We improved on the original plan.
Framing words
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 而言 (ér yán) | speaking of | 一般而言, 相对而言, 就…而言 |
| 层面 (céngmiàn) | level, dimension | 在制度层面, 从技术层面来看 |
| 机制 (jīzhì) | mechanism | 市场机制, 激励机制 |
| 所谓 (suǒwèi) | so-called; what is called | 所谓 X，是指… |
| 所 + verb | what is (verb)-ed | 他所提出的观点 |
| 在一定程度上 | to some extent | 在一定程度上解释了… |
- 一般而言，城市化会带动经济增长。Generally speaking, urbanisation drives economic growth.
- 从制度层面来看，这一问题更加复杂。At the institutional level, the problem is more complex.
- 市场机制在资源配置中发挥着重要作用。The market mechanism plays an important role in allocating resources.
- 所谓文化资本，是指个人通过教育获得的知识和能力。So-called cultural capital refers to the knowledge and skills a person gains through education.
- 笔者认为，现有研究忽视了地区差异。The present author believes existing research overlooks regional differences.
所谓: defining or doubting
所谓 has two faces. Before a term to be defined, it is neutral: 所谓X，是指… In 他所谓的“专家”, it is sceptical: "his so-called expert".
Papers avoid 我觉得. Use 本文认为 (this paper argues), 笔者认为 (the author believes) or 我们认为.
For hedging claims, see Hedging: 似乎, 未必, 不见得, 恐怕, 难免, 不至于, 想必; for linking an argument, Discourse markers: 总之, 换句话说, 况且, 何况, 反之.
Common mistakes
本文进行研究了这一问题。→ 本文对这一问题进行了研究。The object goes before 进行 with 对, and 了 follows 进行.进行查→ 进行调查. 进行 and 加以 take two-character verbs.- Using 进行 everywhere: 我们讨论了 is often better than 我们进行了讨论. Nominalise where it helps, not by reflex.
- Using sceptical 所谓 by accident: 我们所谓的专家 can sound like mockery of your own experts.
Practice
- Which sentence is correct academic Chinese?Options: 本文对这一问题进行了研究。 · 本文进行研究了这一问题。 · 本文进行了研究这一问题。
Show the answer
本文对这一问题进行了研究。
- Rewrite with 对…进行: 我们分析了这些数据。
Show the answer
我们对这些数据进行了分析
- _____而言，年轻人更愿意尝试新产品。Options: 一般 · 所谓 · 层面
Show the answer
一般
- _____文化资本，是指个人通过教育获得的知识和能力。
Show the answer
所谓