An image showing a “cartoon hierarchy” has ignited public discussion in China for its suggestion that Chinese children from wealthier families or with better educational opportunities prefer to watch English-language cartoons and will look down on those who watch Chinese ones.
一张显示“动画片等级”的图片激起了中国民众的讨论，该图片暗示，更为富裕家庭或者是有着更好教育机会的中国孩子喜欢更看英语动画片，他们鄙视那些看国产动画片的中国孩子。
The picture shows the latest English-language cartoons with no Chinese subtitles such as “Adventure Time with Finn and Jake,” “Bob’s Burgers,” and “Bernard” at the top of the pyramid. The second tier includes Disney television series, “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “Thomas the Train,” and other cartoons that have already been introduced into China. Domestic cartoons including “Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf,” “Boonie Bears,” and “GG Bond” are at the bottom of the pyramid.
该图片显示，最新的、且无汉语字幕的英语动画片，例如《探险活宝》、《开心汉堡店》、和《倒霉熊》处于金字塔的最上方。第二等级包括迪士尼电视剧、《海绵宝宝》、《托马斯小火车》、以及其它早已被引入中国的其它动画片。金字塔底部是包括《喜羊羊与灰太狼》、《熊出没》、和《猪猪侠》在内的国产动画片。
“I usually let my kid watch the English-language-version of Peppa Pig.” A parent told Chinanews.com. “I don’t look down on domestic cartoons. It’s just that English-language cartoons are entertaining as well as helpful for learning English, and Disney sometimes includes math exercises. Domestic cartoons are not nearly as educational.”
“我经常让自己的孩子看英文版的《粉红猪小妹》。”一名家长向中新网说道。“我并非不待见国产动画片。只是英语动画片不仅有意思，而且还有助于学习英语，迪士尼有时包含数学练习。国产动画片教学功能偏弱。”
Apart from parents’ wish to “learn while play,” another major reason behind their choice is that domestic cartoons do not have a clear targeted age group, according to an expert in the industry. “Most foreign cartoons are classified based on the age of target audience so parents can easily pick the one that is most suitable for their children.”
据业内一名专家介绍，一方面，家长希望“寓教于乐”，另一方面，他们的选择的主要原因是国产动画片没有一个清晰的特定年龄群体。“大部分国外动画片有年龄分级，家长在挑选最适合自己孩子的动画片时也更方便。”
In spite of this, some domestic cartoons are striving to keep pace with the times.
尽管如此，一些国产动漫仍在努力保持与时俱进。
“Chinese cartoons are still in the beginning stages. With the increasing support of the government in recent years, I believe more “high-class” domestic cartoons will come out and win the hearts of both our parents and children,” said Su Wanzi, a senior animation editor.
资深动漫编辑苏婉梓表示：“目前中国的动漫还处于起步阶段。随着近几年政府对动漫产业的扶持，我相信越来越多优秀的国产动漫将会涌现，并且俘获家长和孩子的心。”
