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)