|
Zhing-zhong
Zhing-zhong () is a Zimbabwean slang word meaning low cost Asian (mostly Chinese) consumer products of poor quality. The word gained traction in Zimbabwe during the 2000s when an influx of Chinese merchants and storekeepers imported consumer products into Zimbabwe. The term carries strong connotations of widespread discontent over the continued de-industrialisation of Zimbabwe, and the replacement of its products with Chinese ones. In some quarters, "zhing-zhong" or simply "zhing" is a slur for the Chinese. Perhaps mindful of this, the Government of Zimbabwe is reported to have banned the word. The word "zhing-zhong", according to Thulani Chikanda, refers to products from China even if they are of high quality, it is not about being cheap but about the origin. Chikanda also argues that this word was merely a petition to the government to tell China to improve quality on products. "Zhing-zhong" is a synonym to the South African word "Fon-kong". Ironically, the original Chinese ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
China–Zimbabwe Relations
China and Zimbabwe have had a close, but chequered, relationship since the latter's independence. History China–Zimbabwe relations date back to January 1979, during the Rhodesian Bush War. The Soviet Union supported Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe African People's Union, and supplied them with arms; Robert Mugabe's attempts to gain Soviet support for his Zimbabwe African National Union were rebuffed, leading him to enter into relations with Soviet rival Beijing, culminating in a January 1979 meeting in Mozambique in which both sides affirmed their intent to cooperate more closely. The two countries formally established diplomatic relations on 18 April 1980, the day of Zimbabwe's independence. Two months later, Zimbabwe's foreign minister Simon Muzenda visited Beijing to express his thanks; he was followed by Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe himself the next year. Mugabe placed great importance on Zimbabwe's relations with China, especially after the 2003 standoff with the European Un ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ching Chong
"Ching chong" and "ching chang chong" are ethnic slurs and racial pejorative terms sometimes used in English to mock the Chinese language, people of Chinese ancestry, or other people of East Asian descent perceived to be Chinese. The term is a crude imitation of Mandarin and Cantonese phonology. The phrases have often accompanied assaults or physical intimidation of East Asians, as have other racial slurs or imitation Chinese. Historical usage While usually intended for ethnic Chinese, the slur has also been directed at other East Asians. Mary Paik Lee, a Korean immigrant who arrived with her family in San Francisco in 1906, wrote in her 1990 autobiography ''Quiet Odyssey'' that on her first day of school, girls circled and hit her, chanting: Ching Chong, Chinaman, Sitting on a wall. Along came a white man, And chopped his head off. A variation of this rhyme is repeated by a young boy in John Steinbeck's 1945 novel ''Cannery Row'' in mockery of a Chinese man. In this ve ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shanzhai
''Shanzhai'' () is a Chinese term literally meaning "mountain fortress" or "mountain camp", whose contemporary use usually encompasses counterfeit, imitation, or parody products and events and the subculture surrounding them. ''Shanzhai'' products can include counterfeit consumer and electronic goods, which can involve the imitation and trademark infringement of brands and companies. The term's modern usage grew around 2008 when counterfeit smartphones reached their greatest domestic use. Today, some relate the term with grassroots innovation and creativity rather than with falsehood or imitation. Origin The term ''shanzhai'' was first used for its literal meaning, which referred to defensible mountain forts and strongholds, usually in areas on the outer reaches of imperial government control. During the Song dynasty (960–1279), ''shanzhai'' came to describe groups of bandits who opposed and evaded the corrupt authorities to perform deeds they saw as justified. One of the most ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Zimbabwean English
Zimbabwean English (ZimE; en-ZIM; en-ZW) is a regional variety of English found in Zimbabwe. While the majority of Zimbabweans speak Shona (75%) and Ndebele (18%) as a first language, standard English is the primary language used in education, government, commerce and media in Zimbabwe, giving it an important role in society. Just under 5 percent of Zimbabweans are native English speakers and 89 percent of the population can speak English fluently or at a high level, second only to the Seychelles (93 percent) amongst African nations. Casual observers tend to have difficulty in placing the Zimbabwean accent, as it differs from those that are clearly from British, South African or other African Englishes; like other English dialects, the accent tends to vary between individuals based on education, class and ethnic background. To Americans, it sounds slightly British, while British speakers find the accent rather old-fashioned and either nasal or somewhat twangy or African-influe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Slang
Slang is vocabulary (words, phrases, and linguistic usages) of an informal register, common in spoken conversation but avoided in formal writing. It also sometimes refers to the language generally exclusive to the members of particular in-groups in order to establish group identity, exclude outsiders, or both. The word itself came about in the 18th century and has been defined in multiple ways since its conception. Etymology of the word ''slang'' In its earliest attested use (1756), the word ''slang'' referred to the vocabulary of "low" or "disreputable" people. By the early nineteenth century, it was no longer exclusively associated with disreputable people, but continued to be applied to usages below the level of standard educated speech. In Scots dialect it meant "talk, chat, gossip", as used by Aberdeen poet William Scott in 1832: "The slang gaed on aboot their war'ly care." In northern English dialect it meant "impertinence, abusive language". The origin of the word is ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chinese People In Zimbabwe
Chinese people in Zimbabwe are a small community that grew in size in the 2000s as an influx of Chinese shopkeepers settled in the country. Initially the arrival of shopkeepers from China aroused hostile local attitudes with products sold by Chinese merchants derisively called zhing-zhong. However, during the worst of the Zimbabwe economic crisis, Chinese shopkeepers were able to import basic goods despite the disruptive effect of hyperinflation, bringing some relief to Zimbabwean consumers. The ability of Chinese stores to continue business won them the appreciation of local consumers. Under official cultural and educational cooperation agreements, there are as of 2009 three teachers and nine medical personnel from China in the country. Notable people *Fay Chung, politician *Chipo Chung - model and actress *Adam Chicksen- football player References {{Overseas Chinese Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in South ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Government Of Zimbabwe
The politics of Zimbabwe takes place in a framework of a full presidential republic, whereby the President is the head of state and government as organized by the 2013 Constitution. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. The status of Zimbabwean politics has been thrown into question by a 2017 coup. Political developments since the Lancaster House Agreement The Zimbabwean Constitution, initially from the Lancaster House Agreement a few months before the 1980 elections, chaired by Lord Carrington, institutionalises majority rule and protection of minority rights. Since independence, the Constitution has been amended by the government to provide for: *The abolition of seats reserved for whites in the country's parliament in 1987; [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Zimbabwean Culture
Zimbabwe has many different cultures, which may include beliefs and ceremonies, one of them being Shona. Zimbabwe's largest ethnic group is Shona. History Language Zimbabwe has 16 official languages, Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, "Koisan" (presumably Tsoa), Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, "sign language" (Zimbabwean sign languages), Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa. Much of the population speaks Bantu languages, such as Shona (chishona) (76%) and Ndebele (18%). Shona has a rich oral tradition, which was incorporated into the first Shona novel, ''Feso'' by Solomon Mutswairo, published in 1957. English is spoken primarily in the cities, but less so in rural areas. Education in Zimbabwe is taught in English, Shona and Ndebele. Many rural primary schools teach in the native language until grade three; then, school is taught in English."Zimbabwe Education System". ''www.classbase.com''. Retrieved 2015-10-19. Food Like in many African countries, a ma ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pejorative Terms Related To Technology
A pejorative or slur is a word or grammatical form expressing a negative or a disrespectful connotation, a low opinion, or a lack of respect toward someone or something. It is also used to express criticism, hostility, or disregard. Sometimes, a term is regarded as pejorative in some social or ethnic groups but not in others, or may be originally pejorative but later adopt a non-pejorative sense (or vice versa) in some or all contexts. Etymology The word ''pejorative'' is derived from a Late Latin past participle stem of ''peiorare'', meaning "to make worse", from ''peior'' "worse". Pejoration and melioration In historical linguistics, the process of an inoffensive word becoming pejorative is a form of semantic drift known as pejoration. An example of pejoration is the shift in meaning of the word ''silly'' from meaning that a person was happy and fortunate to meaning that they are foolish and unsophisticated. The process of pejoration can repeat itself around a single concept, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
