Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the acceptability of the lettered-words as the entries of Contemporary Chinese Dictionary (6th edition). Whether lettered-words should be included in this dictionary has caused considerable controversy. From the perspective of sociolinguistics, this paper gives a brief introduction of the development of lettered-words , the criterion and principle of the dictionary to include the lettered-words. The findings of the survey of the acceptability of lettered-words have revealed that most people disagree with these words as entries of Contemporary Chinese Dictionary. However, the application of lettered-words in daily life is accepted by the public. The suggestion on the entries of lettered-words in Chinese dictionaries is proposed, which will help people to recognise the different operation of including lettered-words.

Key words: lettered-word; acceptability; criterion; dictionary

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Literature Review.1

2.1 The Nomination and Definition of Lettered-words

2.2 The Development of Lettered-words in China

2.3 The Current Situation of Lettered-words Included in the Contemporary Chinese Dictionary  

3.Revision of Lettered-words in the Contemporary Chinese Dictionary.4

  3.1 Revision of Contemporary Chinese Dictionary 

  3.2 Analysis of the Revision

4. Research Method7

4.1 Selection of Respondents

4.2 Selection of Research Methods

5.The Investigation Results and Analysis8

5.1 The Investigation Results

5.2 The Analysis of the Results

6. Conclusion9

Bibliography.10

Appendix Ι11

Acknowledgements12