cover
Contact Name
Rudiansyah
Contact Email
rudiansyah@staff.uns.ac.id
Phone
+6282164777811
Journal Mail Official
mandarinable@mail.uns.ac.id
Editorial Address
Jalan Ir. Sutami 36A Kentingan, Surakarta, Indonesia 57126
Location
Kota surakarta,
Jawa tengah
INDONESIA
MANDARINABLE: Journal of Chinese Studies
ISSN : 2962424X     EISSN : 29624258     DOI : https://doi.org/10.20961/mandarinable.v1i1
MANDARINABLE: Journal of Chinese Studies is a bi-annual journal, published in April and October. MANDARINABLE focuses on various issues spanning the Chinese Studies of language, literature, culture, and journalism. The coverage of language includes linguistics and language teaching, the area of culture includes cultural studies and social studies, and the scope of literature covers the analysis of novels, films, poems,s and dramas using the relevant theories and concepts. The journalism coverage includes digital journalism, social media, news production and consumption, journalism culture, and performance. In its first edition, MANDARINABLE was published online and printed. In each edition, MANDARINABLE has received an article openly. The article will be reviewed by internal and external editors, with at least two reviewers who have related expertise with double-blind peer review.
Articles 68 Documents
The Characters’ Efforts to Save Face in Zhao Xin’s Short Story 剃脑袋 Tì Nǎodai (Skull Shave) Octavia, Adeline Sondang; Wuryandari, Nurni Wahyu
Mandarinable: Journal of Chinese Studies Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): MANDARINABLE: Journal of Chinese Studies
Publisher : Published by Confucius Institute UNS

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.20961/mandarinable.v4i2.2592

Abstract

The short story Skull Shave (剃脑袋 Tì Nǎodai) by Zhao Xin (2012) narrates the experience of the character “I”, an eight-year-old boy named Er Xiao, who fears having his hair shaved. The story focuses on the interactions among three main characters: Er Xiao, his father, and Uncle Qingshui, the barber, which closely relate to the concept of face, self-image, shame, prestige, and social honor in Chinese culture. This research aims to explore how these three characters attempt to save face and how their efforts impact their interactions, reflecting the social and cultural values of Chinese society. Using both intrinsic and extrinsic approaches, the analysis focuses on the characters’ actions, dialogues, and attitudes in the story, as well as the cultural significance of face in Chinese sociocultural contexts. The findings indicate that the characters’ efforts to maintain face affect their relationships and convey a moral message on the importance of preserving harmony in social relations. The story also highlights Zhao Xin’s perceptiveness in capturing rural life, particularly through a child’s perspective. Through its simple narrative, the short story is able to elevate the social and cultural realities of Chinese society into a literary work.  
From Tributary Ties to BRI Connectivity: Historical Continuity and Asymmetric Relation in China-Laos Cooperation Adarani, Tania; Muas, Tuty Nur Mutia
Mandarinable: Journal of Chinese Studies Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): MANDARINABLE: Journal of Chinese Studies
Publisher : Published by Confucius Institute UNS

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.20961/mandarinable.v4i2.2354

Abstract

Laos-China relations have evolved for centuries, beginning with a tributary system that established economic and security interdependence. Although political ties were disrupted during the French colonial period and the Cold War, cross-border trade and social interactions persisted. Since the normalization of relations in the 1980s, cooperation has deepened and reached a new phase through the Laos-China High-Speed ​​Railway, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Using a qualitative historical approach, this study examines how the Kunming-Vientiane High-Speed Railway illustrates the historical continuity and asymmetric nature of the bilateral relationship. The findings indicate that while the project enhances connectivity and supports Laos’s aspiration to become a ‘land-linked country’, it also reinforces China’s dominant position in financing, technology, and regional influence. Despite concerns about long-term dependency, the partnership remains mutually beneficial, demonstrating how BRI projects shape the dynamics between major and small states in Southeast Asia.
A Visualized Analysis of Cultural Teaching in International Chinese Language Education: A Bibliometric Study Based on CiteSpace: 国际汉语教育中文化教学研究的可视化分析——基于CiteSpace的计量研究 Nahnu, Asmuliyati; Tajuddin, Sukma; Sukma
Mandarinable: Journal of Chinese Studies Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): MANDARINABLE: Journal of Chinese Studies
Publisher : Published by Confucius Institute UNS

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.20961/mandarinable.v4i2.2721

Abstract

Driven by the “Chinese culture going global” strategy and the Belt and Road Initiative, cultural instruction has increasingly become a crucial component of international Chinese language education. Based on 487 CSSCI and core journal articles from the CNKI database published between 2016 and 2025, this study employs CiteSpace 6.3.R1 to analyze the research hotspots and evolutionary paths of this field from the perspectives of keyword co-occurrence, clustering, burst detection, and author–institution collaboration. The findings reveal that the research focus in cultural teaching has shifted from “traditional cultural dissemination” to “intercultural integration,” with key hotspots centering on tea culture, Confucius Institutes, and professional degree programs. Collaborative networks show a growing trend toward clustering, and several keywords exhibit strong burst intensity and long duration, indicating sustained academic attention in this field. This study helps clarify the knowledge structure of cultural instruction and provides theoretical support and practical guidance for future topic development, paradigm construction, and pedagogical innovation.
An Analysis of Blooket Performance in Intermediate Mandarin Reading Course Qorie, Tiffany; Adhimas, Yogi Bagus; Titaley, Audrey Gabriella; Ren, Huiling
Mandarinable: Journal of Chinese Studies Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): MANDARINABLE: Journal of Chinese Studies
Publisher : Published by Confucius Institute UNS

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.20961/mandarinable.v4i2.2789

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of using a Blooket as a gamified learning tool in an intermediate-level Mandarin reading class. Using a descriptive quantitative approach based on User Experience (UX), additional data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and non-participatory observations. The findings reveal that the highest scores were seen in the stimulation and efficiency aspects, indicating that Blooket improves student motivation and facilitates a faster learning process. Conversely, the reliability aspect obtained the lowest score, primarily due to network instability and students’ inaccuracy in reading Chinese characters. Overall, Blooket demonstrates great potential as a foreign language learning tool. However, its implementation should be supported by a comprehensive pedagogical strategy to optimize the benefits of gamification and further develop learners’ language proficiency.
War, Exile, and Cultural Resilience: Yu Dafu’s Sumatra Chinese Diaspora Experience: 战争、流亡与文化坚韧:郁达夫的苏门答腊华人流散经验 Markali , Alpin Gadman
Mandarinable: Journal of Chinese Studies Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): MANDARINABLE: Journal of Chinese Studies
Publisher : Published by Confucius Institute UNS

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.20961/mandarinable.v4i2.2764

Abstract

This study examines Yu Dafu’s Random Poems of War and Exile, composed during his wartime exile in Sumatra, to explore the experiences of the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia under the shadow of World War II. Through close reading and thematic analysis, the paper investigates how Yu’s poetry captures the physical and psychological trauma of war, the loneliness and alienation of life in a foreign land, deep attachments to homeland, and struggles of identity formation. It also highlights the role of intellectuals in preserving cultural traditions and exercising moral responsibility amid political turmoil. The findings suggest that Yu’s poetic work is not merely a personal record of exile but also a reflection of the collective hardships and spiritual state of the Chinese community in wartime Sumatra. By foregrounding themes of resilience and cultural survival, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the Chinese diaspora’s historical experiences and offers new perspectives for diaspora literature studies. While limited by its focus on a single text, this research lays the groundwork for future interdisciplinary investigations that integrate broader historical sources and narratives of diaspora.
An Analysis of Conjunctions in Mandarin Comprehensive Textbooks (A Case Study of “Road to Success”): 综合课程教科书中的连词分析——以《成功之路》教科书为例 Meiceria, Yulia; Lily Thamrin; Yoanna Afrimonika
Mandarinable: Journal of Chinese Studies Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): MANDARINABLE: Journal of Chinese Studies
Publisher : Published by Confucius Institute UNS

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.20961/mandarinable.v4i2.2806

Abstract

Conjunctions play an important role in clarifying meaning and enhancing communication effectiveness. However, in the context of learning Mandarin as a foreign language, conjunctions tend to receive insufficient attention. This study aims to analyze the use of conjunctions in the first ten volumes of the “Road to Success” textbook series by using a qualitative, combined with descriptive and literature analysis research method. The results recorded a total of 88 conjunctions (73 distinct and 15 repeated), classified into 11 subcategories under two main types: coordinative and subordinative. The most frequently used type were progressive (17), causal (14), and adversative (11) conjunctions, while selective conjunctions were not found in the data. The presentation of conjunction explanations varies across editions. The explanations in the “语法点注释” (grammar points) section are presented systematically and followed by a variety of exercises, reflecting the principle of "concise explanations, extensive practice". Furthermore, the distribution of conjunctions increases progressively, with the highest concentration found in the《进步篇》volume. In alignment with the “Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education”, the coverage of level 1–4 conjunctions exceeds 50%, with the highest concentration at level 2 (80.9%). These findings indicate that the textbook content is well-aligned with the intended stages of language learning.
A Study on the Application of Chinese Linguistic Landscape in Task-Based Language Teaching: 论文题目任务试教学法中汉语语言景观应用研究 Hu, Yifan; Arista, Cicik
Mandarinable: Journal of Chinese Studies Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): MANDARINABLE: Journal of Chinese Studies
Publisher : Published by Confucius Institute UNS

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.20961/mandarinable.v4i2.2910

Abstract

This study explores the integration of linguistic landscape into international Chinese language teaching through a task-based instructional approach. Second-year Chinese majors at Universitas Negeri Surabaya (HSK Level 2-3) were guided to observe, collect, and analyze authentic Chinese signage in Surabaya, producing group reports and presentations. Data from students’ documentation and interviews were analyzed qualitatively. The findings show that using real linguistic landscape resources effectively enhances learners’ character recognition, vocabulary development, and multilingual awareness, while its impact on grammar remains limited due to proficiency level. Overall, the study demonstrates that incorporating local linguistic landscape into task-based teaching provides meaningful input, increases cultural sensitivity, and supports learner autonomy in second-language learning.
Analysis of 2019 Common Hope Language Institute Students’ Understanding of Chinese Internet Language Characters and Symbols: 共同希望语言学院 2019 届学生对汉语网络语言汉字类与符号类的理解分析 Fidelis, Chelsi; Iden, Sabinus
Mandarinable: Journal of Chinese Studies Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): MANDARINABLE: Journal of Chinese Studies
Publisher : Published by Confucius Institute UNS

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.20961/mandarinable.v4i2.2923

Abstract

The way a community uses the internet influences language, causing changes in how words are used online. Although online expressions may originate from Chinese, the usage of Chinese internet language differs greatly from that of everyday Chinese. Therefore, learners of Chinese must understand internet language in order to communicate effectively. This study aims to understand the level of comprehension of Chinese internet language among the 2019 cohort of students at the Joint Hope Language Institute. After summarizing the categories of Chinese internet language, data were collected through distributed questionnaires and test items. Based on the survey conducted with the 2019 cohort of students at the Joint Hope Language Institute, the results indicate that most students still have a relatively low level of understanding of the logographic and symbolic categories of Chinese internet language, particularly in the categories of old words with new meanings and homophones. In addition, students in the institute receive limited instruction on Chinese internet language, focusing primarily on traditional Chinese and linguistics.