The Multilingual Chinese Learner’s Dictionary: A Parallel Language Approach
The Multilingual Chinese Learner’s Dictionary project is a collaborative initiative developed jointly by Beijing Foreign Studies University’s Office of Confucius Institutes and the Multilingual Base for International Promotion of Chinese Language. The project brings together over 100 scholars and experts from both within and outside the university, in partnership with Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, to create comprehensive multilingual learning resources.
Phase One: Establishing the Foundation (2009–Present)
Launched in 2009, the first phase has seen the publication of Concise Chinese Learner’s Dictionary in 18 language editions., including English, French, German, Sinhala, Thai, Swahili, Khmer, Lao, Malay, Bulgarian, Romanian, Arabic, Portuguese, Korean, Vietnamese, Burmese, Russian, and Ukrainian.
Phase Two: Expanding Reach and Innovation (2018–Present)
The second phase, initiated in 2018, aims for the publication of dictionary editions in 25 additional languages, complemented by the development of a digital dictionary application. The target languages include Azerbaijani, Zulu, Serbian, Slovak, Urdu, Filipino, Dutch, Latvian, Hausa, Danish, Bengali, Nepali, Hebrew, Hindi, Mongolian, Norwegian, Croatian, Hungarian, Albanian, Spanish, Irish, Lithuanian, Tongan, Indonesian, and Polish.
Compilation work is underway across all target languages. Five language editions—Tongan, Indonesian, Albanian, Danish, and Filipino—have been completed and are ready for publication. Additionally, based on existing print dictionary content, the team is developing a mobile application in 10 language versions (English, French, German, Thai, Malay, Korean, Lao, Khmer, Sinhala, and Bulgarian). The app features two core functions—vocabulary search and interactive learning—and has advanced to the final testing stage.
Project Impact and Significance
The Concise Chinese Learner’s Dictionary series addresses a critical gap in the publishing landscape: it was the first comprehensive bilingual Chinese-foreign language reference tool explicitly designed for Chinese language learners worldwide. By prioritizing the learner’s experience and providing targeted support from beginner levels, the project has become an essential resource for speakers of less commonly taught languages.
International Recognition:
The project’s contributions extend beyond educational materials. The Khmer edition was presented as a state gift to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the 2013 Asian Regional Confucius Institute Conference. The Sinhala, Lao, and Portuguese editions have been donated to institutions such as the University of Colombo, the National University of Laos, and the Laos Academy of Social Sciences, as well as to Brazilian university leaders. The Romanian and Khmer editions both received second prize in the 2015 “China’s Finest Less Commonly Taught Language Dictionaries” awards. Additionally, the Bulgarian edition was acquired by Bulgaria’s Iztok-Zapad (East-West) Publishing House, and the Romanian edition by Ideea Europeană (European Ideas) publishers, expanding the project’s international presence.
Vision for the Future
The Multilingual Chinese Learner’s Dictionary represents a flagship initiative that leverages Beijing Foreign Studies University’s distinctive multilingual expertise to advance international Chinese language education and global cultural engagement. By supporting learners across linguistic communities, the project strengthens the language dimension of international cooperation, facilitates cultural exchange, and deepens understanding of contemporary China.
Looking ahead, the Office of Confucius Institutes and the Multilingual Base remain committed to completing additional language editions, enabling learners worldwide to engage with Chinese language and culture in accessible ways, and contributing to meaningful dialogue across civilizations.
