Two Great Transfers of Word Emotive Overtones In Modern Chinese

Since 1949, modern Chinese language has, in the course o f its development in China's Mainland, twice witnessed large-scale transfers in its word emotive overtones. The first began in 1949 and went on all the way till the end o f the Cultural Revolution in 1977. Derogation manifested itself in that period, during which the derogatory words enjoyed their greatest number, widest usages and highest frequency in the history o f the Chinese language. The second began from the Reform and Opening Up Policy in 1978 and lasted untill now. De-derogation has manifested itself in this period, during which the derogatory words have had the smallest number, least usages and lowest frequency in the history o f the Chinese language. The two large-scale transfers result from their specific social backgrounds and the development o f the Chinese language itself.