The latest edition of Cihai, or "sea of words", the most authoritative encyclopedic dictionary of the Chinese language, will not open the door to buzzwords such as "super girl", according to Wednesday's Beijing Morning Post.
Cihai is currently being revised. New words include "Shenzhou VI", the name of China's second manned spacecraft, and "nanometer". Vocabulary entries also include introductions to influential Chinese figures such as the late literary master "Ba Jin".
The term "super girl" -- referring to an all-girl competition similar to American Idol -- will not be included in a dictionary that prides itself on its educational and historical value, experts quoted by the newspaper said.
According to the report, the new edition of the dictionary, published by the Shanghai Lexicographical Publishing house, will see 10,000 vocabulary entries added to the 1999 version. The new edition is expected to be completed in 2008.
The 1999 version had a total of 19,485 Chinese characters and 122,836 vocabulary entries.
"Cihai" records new words reflecting the latest developments in the social and natural sciences, including biology, electronics, computer science and economics.
The new edition will also follow newly-issued standards in areas such as law and management. Widely-known and rarely consulted terms such as "ceiling" and "noise" will be eliminated.
New words in the 1999 edition of Cihai included "Deng Xiaoping theories", "market economy with socialist characteristics" and "internet".
(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2006)
