Structures Containing, but not Representing, Numbers in Boya Chinese Textbooks: A Survey and Teaching Suggestions

Abstract

In Chinese, numerical structures of numerals may convey non-literal meaning. They are used to express unclear concepts in clear numeric form (non-num structures). These structures are subjective forms of expressions in Chinese culture. This article examined teaching contents and arrangements of non-num structures in the Boya Chinese textbooks. Non-num structures were divided into four categories: fixed, almost fixed, somewhat fixed, and contextual. Results were that 53 fixed expressions appeared, three almost fixed forms, and 12 somewhat fixed forms. However, if variant somewhat fixed forms are classified in a single unit, 9 may be counted. The textbooks do not mention the contextual category. Some non-num structures are repeatedly introduced, while others are briefly mentioned. These findings suggest that textbooks should scrutinize the non-num structure, adding those commonly used in daily life.