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GUOWEN SHANG

Professor, Chinese language and linguistics
Department of Foreign Languages
  • E-mailGuowen.Shang@uib.no
  • Phone+47 55 58 47 78
  • Visitor Address
    Sydnesplassen 7
    HF-bygget
    5007 Bergen
  • Postal Address
    Postboks 7805
    5020 Bergen

Dr. Guowen Shang (尚国文) is Professor of Chinese language and linguistics at the Department of Foreign Languages, University of Bergen (UiB). He earned his PhD in linguistics from the National University of Singapore in 2011. From 2011 to 2014, he worked as a research fellow at National Institute of Education (NIE) of Nanyang Technological University, and Chinese language lecturer at National University of Singapore. From 2015 to 2017, he worked as Associate Professor at the School of International Studies, Zhejiang University, China. He became a faculty member of UiB in February, 2017. His research interests include Sociolinguistics, Language Policy and Planning, and Chinese Linguistics. Currently his research focus is mainly on the multilingualism in China’s city space, examining the urban image construction through linguistic landscape. His publications appear in international journals such as Language and Linguistics, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, International Journal of Multilingualism, English Today, Current Issues in Language Planning, International Journal of Applied Linguistics, Journal of Language and Politics as well as numerous Chinese journals. He is a peer reviewer for over 20 international journals like Linguistics, Language Teaching, Language and Communication, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, International Journal of Multilingualism, Language Policy, Current Issues in Language Planning, among many others, and academic manuscript reviewer for publishers such as Routledge, Springer and Peter Lang.  

Chinese Bachelor Degree Courses

Chinese Language 1

Chinese Language 2

Chinese Language 3

Chinese Language 4

Chinese Language 5

Bachelor Thesis in Chinese Studies

Culture, history, society and languages in China

Master in Chinese Studies Courses:

Selected Topics in Chinese Applied Linguistics

2024

  • Shang, G. (2024). Unequal Englishes through Chinglish: Conflicting language ideologies in the official discourse. In R. Tupas (ed.), Investigating Unequal Englishes: Understanding, Researching and Analysing Inequalities of the Englishes of the World (pp.135-149). London: Routledge.
  • Shang, G. (2024). Linguistic landscaping from above in China: scale-making and language ideologies. Chinese Semiotic Studies, 20(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1515/css-2024-2001 
  • Han, Y. & Shang, G. (2024). The Linguistic Landscape in China: Commodification, Image Construction, Contestations and Negotiations. Singapore: Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8753-5 

2023

  • Shang, G. (2023). Linguistic Landscape Studies: Theories and Practice. Beijing: The Commercial Press. (359 pages)
  • Zhao, P. & Shang, G. (2023). Book Review of Discourses, modes, media and meaning in an era of pandemic: A multimodal discourse analysis approach. Sociolinguistic Studies, 17(4), 493-498. https://doi.org/10.1558/sols.26139 
  • Shang, G. & Yang, L. (2023). Practicing and Managing Foreign Toponyms in China: Cultural Politics and Ideologies. Names: A Journal of Onomastics, 71(2), 1-11. DOI 10.5195/names.2023.2435 
  • Yang, L. & Shang, G. (2023). The development pattern of Norwegian CFL learners' pragmatic comprehension in non-target language contexts. Chinese Teaching in the World, 37(1): 127-142.

2022

  • Shang, G., Marinaccio, J.C, Honne, T.L. (2022). A Norwegian Soul in a Chinese Body? Ethnic Identity and Chinese Adoptees in Norway. Societies, 12(4):117. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12040117 
  • Shang, G. (2022). Linguistic landscape and city affects: Civilized affective regime in Hangzhou. Linguistic Research, 32(1): 41-51.  
  • Yang, L. & Shang, G. (2022). Regulating foreign-sounding place names in China: From the perspective of language planning and policy. China Language Strategies, 9(1), 22-33.
  • Shang, G & Zhou, X. (2022). Displaying and commodifying English on shop name signs: Perspectives of business practitioners in China. In Li, S.Q. (ed.), English in China: Creativity and Commodification (pp.147-164). London: Routledge.

2021

  •  Shang, G. (2021). Multilingualism in the linguistic landscape of Eastern China: City residents' perceptions and attitudes. Globe: A Journal of Language, Culture and Communication, 12, 99-116.
  • Zhang, H. & Shang, G. (2021). Review of Gabrielle Hogan-Brun: LINGUANOMICS: WHAT IS THE MARKET POTENTIAL OF MULTILINGUALISM? Applied Linguistics, 42(2), 810-813.

2020

  • Shang, G. (2020). Wrestling between English and Pinyin: Language politics and ideologies of coding street names in China. Journal of Language and Politics, 19(4), 624-645. DOI: 10.1075/jlp.19072.sha
  • Shang, G. & Zhou, X. (2020). Peripheral linguistic landscape: Sign types, features and research perspectives. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning, 5(4), 37-47. 
  • Zhang, T. & Shang, G. (2020). Extension and creation of the study on linguistic landscape. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning, 5(4), 11-12. 

2019

  • Shang, G. & Xie, F. (2019). Is “poor” English in linguistic landscape useful for EFL teaching and learning? Perspectives of EFL teachers in China. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 30, 35-49. DOI: 10.1111/ijal.12258
  • Shang, G. (2019). Review of Expanding the linguistic landscape: Linguistic diversity, multimodality and the use of space as a semiotic resource. International Journal of Multilingualism, 17(4),552-555.

2018

  • Shang, G. (2018). Tourism linguistic landscape study: A macro sociolinguistic perspective. Journal of Zhejiang International Studies University, 3, 46-56.

2017

  • Shang, G. & Guo, L. (2017). Linguistic landscape in Singapore: what shop names reveal about Singapore’s multilingualism. International Journal of Multilingualism, 14(2),183-201. DOI: 10.1080/14790718.2016.1218497
  • Shang, G. & Zhao, S. (2017). Standardizing Chinesel language in Singapore: Issues of policy and practice. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 38(4), 315-329. DOI: 10.1080/01434632.2016.1201091
  • Shang, G. (2017). Linguistic landscape and language teaching: From resource to tool. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning, 2(2): 11-19.
  • Shang, G. & Zhao, S. (2017). Bottom-up multilingualism in Singapore: Code choice on shop signs. English Today, 33(3), 8-14. doi:10.1017/S026607841600047X
  • Shang, G. & Zhao, S. (2017). What standard and whose standard: Issues in the development of Chinese proficiency descriptors in Singapore. In Zhang, D. & Lin, C.H. (eds.), Assessing Chinese as a Second Language (pp.159-181). New York: Springer. 

2016

  • Shang, G. (2016). An economics approach to linguistic landscape: Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand as a Case. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning, 1(4): 83-91.
  • Shang, G. & Chew, C.H. (2016). Singapore Mandarin: sound and pronunciation variations. Journal of International Chinese Studies, 7(1): 199-211.
  • Zhao, S. & Shang, G. (2016). Language planning agency in China: from the perspective of the language academies, Current Issues in Language Planning, 17(1): 23-35. DOI: 10.1080/14664208.2015.1094386

2015

  • Shang, G., Chin, K.N. & Chan, D. (2015). Error Diagnosis in Singapore’s Chinese Language Teaching: Difficulties and Solutions. Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching, 12(S1):305-317.
  • Shang, G. (2015). Low-Degree Adverbs in Modern Chinese: Grammatical Features and Explanation. Research on Chinese as a Second Language, 12: 44-55.
  • Zhao, S. & Shang, G. (2015). Coding and comparing pedagogic features of teaching practices: What happens in Chinese language classes in Singapore’s primary schools? In R. E. Silver & W. D. Bokhorst-Heng (eds.), Quadrilingual Education in Singapore: Pedagogical Innovation in Language Education (pp.505-549). New York: Springer.
  • Shang, G. (2015). English teaching in Schools of Southeast Asian Countries. In Guo, X. (ed.), Language Situation in China 2015. Beijing: Commercial Press.

2014

  • Shang, G. & Zhao, S. (2014). Time expression in Singapore Mandarin and their Standardization. Nankai Linguistics, 1: 102-111.   
  • Shang, G. (2014). Event-based frame and subjectivity of lian-construction. Foreign Languages and Translation, 4: 33-41.
  • Shang, G. & Zhao, S. (2014). Linguistic landscape studies: Perspective, theories and methods. Foreign Language Teaching and Research, 2: 214-223.          
  • Shang, G. & Zhao, S. (2014). Linguistic landscape studies: Analytical dimensions and theoretical constructions. Journal of Foreign Languages, 6: 81-89.
  • Zhao, S. & Shang, G. (2014). The process and historical experience of German orthography reform: With a comparison to the “Comprehensive Table of Standardized Chinese Characters”. Journal of Beihua (North China) University, 1: 18-23.
  • Shang, G. (2014). Grammar emerged from usage: Usage-based thesis in Cognitive Linguistics. Contemporary Foreign Languages Studies, 7: 17-21.
  • Shang, G. (2014). English Language Education Planning in Japan. In Guo, X. (ed.), Language Situation in China 2014. Beijing: Commercial Press.
  • Shang, G. (2014). English Language Education Planning in South Korea. In Guo, X. (ed.), Language Situation in China 2014. Beijing: Commercial Press.
  • Shang, G., Zhao, S. & Aw, G.P. (2014). Confusing Issues of Hanyu Pinyin teaching in Singapore: Reflections and Strategies. Essays on Chinese Language Teaching and Learning in Singapore Vol 8. (pp.73-88). Singapore: SCCL Press.

2013

  • Shang, G. (2013). Adjectival negation in Mandarin Chinese: Meaning and functions. Journal of PLA University of Foreign Languages, 2: 1-7.                                               
  • Shang, G. & Zhao, S. (2013). The standard and direction of Huayu codification: A case study of Singapore Mandarin. Language Teaching and Linguistic Studies, 2: 82-91.         
  • Shang, G. (2013). X-Suan: Their usage and lexicalization. Journal of History of Chinese Language, 13: 26-36.         
  • Shang, G. (2013). A review of methodology in Cognitive Linguistics. Studies in Linguistics and Literature, 2: 1-12.
  • Zhao, S. & Shang, G. (2013). The experience of script reform and standardization in a globalized context: To change or not to change. The Study of Chinese Characters, Vol 19: 191-201.             
  • Zhao, S. & Shang, G. (2013) The historical experience of German orthography reform: A Habermasian perspective. The Journal of Chinese Sociolinguistics, 2: 1-14.

2012

  • Shang, G. (2012). Huawenzi and Hanzi in Singapore and Malaysia: the principles of new words standardization. Chinese Language Review, 101: 27-30. (Hong Kong)
  • Shang, G. (2012). Numerals and Relevant Expressions in Singapore Mandarin. TCSOL Studies, 4: 67-75.
  • Shang, G. (2012). The construction of adequate quantity in Mandarin: Its grammatical features and explanation. Research on Chinese as a Second Language, 8: 26-41. 

2011

  • Shang, G. (2011). Perceptual basis for language comprehension. Foreign Language Research, 4: 8-14.

2010

  • Shang, G. (2010). Cognitive and pragmatic explanations for quantitative negation. Language and Linguistics, 11(4): 735-766.        
  • Shang, G. (2010). An analysis of the quantificational features of “mei + NP” construction. Chinese Linguistics, 1: 74-84.             
  • Shang, G. (2010). Comparative “you” construction in Mandarin Chinese: An investigation of its syntactic and semantic features. Journal of Chinese Language Teaching, 7(2): 1-24. (Taiwan)
  • Shang, G. (2010). The basic pragmatic functions of adjectives in Mandarin Chinese. Chung Yuan Journal of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, 6: 45-78.  (Taiwan)
  • Shang, G. (2010). Directional verbs “shang” and “xia”: The cognitive basis of their polysemy. Teaching Chinese as a Second Language in Taiwan, 8: 6-18.  (Taiwan)
  • Shang, G. (2010). Deviation and limit of subjective quantity: An analysis of the semantics of TAI 'too' in Mandarin. Journal of Applied Chinese, 7: 255-287.  (Taiwan)
  • Shang, G. (2010). wo gen ni shuo/jiang ‘I tell you’ as a discourse marker in Mandarin spoken discourse. Studies in Pragmatics, 3: 177-186.
  • Shang, G. (2010). The grammatical meaning and functions of adjectival reduplication in Mandarin. Contemporary Research in Modern Chinese, 12: 82-91.  (Japan)        
  • Shang, G. (2010). Career address with DE: Its evolution and motivations. Journal of Chinese Sociolinguistics, 1: 25-35.
Academic article
  • Show author(s) (2024). Linguistic landscaping from above in China: scale-making and language ideologies. Chinese Semiotic Studies. 1-18.
  • Show author(s) (2023). The development pattern of Norwegian CFL learners' pragmatic comprehension in non-target language contexts. Teaching Chinese in the World. 127-142.
  • Show author(s) (2023). Practicing and Managing Foreign Toponyms in China: Cultural Politics and Ideologies. Names: A Journal of Onomastics. 1-11.
  • Show author(s) (2022). A Norwegian Soul in a Chinese Body? Ethnic Identity and Chinese Adoptees in Norway. Societies. 16 pages.
  • Show author(s) (2021). Multilingualism in the linguistic landscape of Eastern China: City residents' perceptions and attitudes. Globe: A Journal of Language, Culture and Communication. 99-116.
  • Show author(s) (2020). Wrestling between English and Pinyin: Language politics and ideologies of coding street names in China. Journal of Language and Politics. 624-645.
  • Show author(s) (2020). Peripheral Linguistic Landscape: Sign Types, Features and Research Perspectives. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning. 37-47.
  • Show author(s) (2019). Is “poor” English in linguistic landscape useful for EFL teaching and learning? Perspectives of EFL teachers in China. International Journal of Applied Linguistics. 1-15.
  • Show author(s) (2018). Tourism linguistic landscape study: A macro sociolinguistic perspective. Journal of Zhejiang International Studies University. 46-56.
  • Show author(s) (2017). Standardising the Chinese language in Singapore: issues of policy and practice. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development (JMMD). 315-329.
  • Show author(s) (2017). Linguistic landscape in Singapore: what shop names reveal about Singapore’s multilingualism. International Journal of Multilingualism. 183-201.
  • Show author(s) (2017). Linguistic landscape and language teaching: from resource to tool. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning. 11-19.
  • Show author(s) (2017). Bottom-up multilingualism in Singapore: Code choice on shop signs. English Today. 8-14.
  • Show author(s) (2016). Language planning agency in China: from the perspective of the language academies. Current Issues in Language Planning. 23-35.
Lecture
  • Show author(s) (2019). Linguistic landscape as a pedagogical tool for language teaching and learning.
Academic lecture
  • Show author(s) (2024). Language Anxiety of International Students in Norway: Ideology and Identity Construction.
  • Show author(s) (2021). Wrestling between English and Pinyin - Language Politics and Ideologies of Coding Street Names in China.
  • Show author(s) (2021). Visual Multilingualism in China’s International Cities: A Language Policy Perspective.
  • Show author(s) (2021). Ideological Contestation in the Rectifying Foreign Place Names Campaign in China.
  • Show author(s) (2021). A Norwegian Soul in Chinese Body: Ethnic Identity of Adopted Chinese in Norway .
  • Show author(s) (2021). A Critical Toponomic Approach to Foreign Place Names Rectification in China.
  • Show author(s) (2019). Urban Multilingualism in Eastern China: A SPEAKING Model Approach.
  • Show author(s) (2019). Multilingualism in Eastern China’s Cityspace: Code Choice and General Perception.
  • Show author(s) (2018). Pinyin or English on Road Signs in China: Practice, Ideology and Management of Code Choice in Linguistic Cityscape.
  • Show author(s) (2018). Norwegian College Students’ Attitudes and Motivations of Studying Chinese .
Book review
  • Show author(s) (2023). Discourses, modes, media and meaning in an era of pandemic: A multimodal discourse analysis approach. Sociolinguistic Studies. 493-498.
  • Show author(s) (2019). Book Review of Gabrielle Hogan-Brun: LINGUANOMICS: WHAT IS THE MARKET POTENTIAL OF MULTILINGUALISM? Applied Linguistics.
  • Show author(s) (2019). Book Review of Expanding the linguistic landscape: Linguistic diversity, multimodality and the use of space as a semiotic resource. International Journal of Multilingualism.
Academic monograph
  • Show author(s) (2024). The Linguistic Landscape in China: Commodification, Image Construction, Contestations and Negotiations.
  • Show author(s) (2023). 语言景观研究的理论与实践 [Linguistic landscape studies: Theories and practice].
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
  • Show author(s) (2022). Displaying and commodifying English on shop name signs: Perspectives of business practitioners in China. 18 pages.
  • Show author(s) (2017). What’s the standard and who’s standard: Policy issues in developing exemplars of oral proficiency descriptors in Singapore. 23 pages.

More information in national current research information system (CRIStin)

Department of Foreign Languages, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway

Office: 315B, HF-bygget, Sydnesplassen 7

Tel: +47 55 58 4778 (office)

Email: guowen.shang[at]uib.no

https://www.uib.no/en/fremmedsprak

Fields of competence 
Chinese linguistics
Language policy and planning
Sociolinguistics