BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ordinary Chinese have given new meaning to the character "Bei," which normally indicates the passive voice, with the character being chosen as "character of the year" in 2009.
An online poll, jointly conducted by a linguistic research center under the Ministry of Education and the state-run Commercial Press, selected "Bei" as the character of the year.
Nowadays the character is being employed by Chinese to express a sentiment deeper than just the passive voice: they are using it to convey a sense of helplessness in deciding one's own fate.
The new usage may not conform with grammar rules, but it become an Internet buzzwords in 2009 as it reflected dissatisfaction over the abuse of official power.
"Bei Zi Sha," or "being suicided," is one example.
When an investigation said Li Guofu, a businessman in eastern Anhui Province who had petitioned the central government over local abuses of power, committed suicide in a local detention center, netizens used "Bei Zi Sha" to indicate Li's "suicide" seemed "too odd," given the context of the case.
It turned out that Li was framed by a local official who was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve Feb.8 for taking bribes and framing Li.
Netizens said little oversight of official power and the lack of transparency in the investigation meant neither "suicide" nor "murder" are plausible explanations. Therefore, "being suicided" became the way for the doubting public to express their skepticism.
"Bei" is used to illustrate people's frustration when confronting powerful administrative force or mainstream ideas.
"Bei Zi Yuan" or "being volunteered" is one example which is used to ridicule some government departments that force people to do something while alleging they "do it out of their own will."
University graduates and job seekers claim that they are "Bei Jiu Ye," which means "being found a job," inferring employment statistics are not accurate.
However, observers also say the use of "Bei" reveals growing awareness of civil rights.
"Bei" became popular because people are "not content with unconsciousness or indifference to their legitimate rights," according to an article in the Guangzhou-based Southern Metropolis Daily.
People have started to realize that they have been deprived of some of their rights, and they are demanding more freedom in their life, the article explained.
The Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post cited Prof. Gu Jun of Shanghai University as saying the phenomenon demonstrates a "profound change" in relations between citizens and the government.
"Bei" was not censored in the government-run poll of buzzwords, and grassroots' voices are finally being heard and even recognized by the government.
Gu said "Bei" suggests recognition of citizens' right in the face of official power.
The government is beginning to respond to inquiries from the public, instead of "dodging" them as it did before.
Last December, an investigation into another case of "Bei Zi Sha" was conducted in a more transparent way. Xing Kun, who was suspected of theft, was found to have committed suicide in a local police station in southwestern China's Yunnan Province.
The police invited reporters to the police station to explain the details of the incident. The police also reconstructed the suicide scene, which, to an extent, alleviated public skepticism.
