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The Role of English in China’s Matchmaking Market

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Listed:
  • Dan Zhao
  • Qi Shen

Abstract

Research has focused on how English proficiency influences Chinese people’s education and occupational opportunities and choices. However, little is known about how it impacts the matchmaking practice in such context. Drawing on Bourdieu’s theory of capital, this study examines the role of English in the biggest matchmaking market in Shanghai, China. Field study was conducted in People’s park in Shanghai. Information regarding marriage candidates’ English competence as presented on matrimonial posters was collected and subjected to further grounded-theory based thematic analysis. The results reveal that English competence is primarily advertised as a form of institutionalized cultural capital (e.g., the possession of particular jobs, certificates, degrees, or citizenship) to boost candidates’ socioeconomic status, and used as a gatekeeper to weed out “disqualified†candidates, meaning that non-English speaking candidates may be rejected as ineligible for matchmaking opportunities. Issues related to the commodification of English competence in the matchmaking context are discussed at the end of the paper.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan Zhao & Qi Shen, 2024. "The Role of English in China’s Matchmaking Market," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(2), pages 21582440241, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:14:y:2024:i:2:p:21582440241241376
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440241241376
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jia Yu & Yu Xie, 2015. "Changes in the Determinants of Marriage Entry in Post-Reform Urban China," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 52(6), pages 1869-1892, December.
    2. Sonja Luehrmann, 2004. "Mediated marriage: internet matchmaking in provincial Russia," Europe-Asia Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(6), pages 857-875.
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