TV programs with local dialects will be gradually phased out of prime time, Huang Sheng, vice governor of East China's Shandong province, said Thursday at a provincial meeting to promote Putonghua, or Mandarin - the main spoken language in China - Shandong Commercial Times reported.

Ten years ago, China enacted the Law on Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language.

Huang said media plays a leading role in promoting Putonghua; TV programs with local dialects need to be moved out of prime time. "It may take time to finally achieve that goal," said Huang.

But some linguistic experts are worried the rapid development of Putonghua will lead to the disappearance of some dialects. Some have suggested setting up dialect TV channels and holding dialect speech competitions among primary and middle school students.

"We should promote a multi-lingual environment for a more harmonious society," said Li Lunxin, a researcher. "Promoting Putonghua does not mean we have to forbid using dialects. The two can co-exist and co-develop."

Various dialects in China, mainly from the south, have been on the decline as people become more educated and are communicating more in Mandarin, which is based on northern China's dialects.

China has more than 80 dialects and languages among its 56 ethnic groups, according to the Ministry of Education website.

more than 80? Seems like A LOT more than 80...

I agree everyone should learn Putonghua though I do think it adds something interesting to the culture to have so many differnet dialects around.

They tried to do this in Guangzhou pre-Asian Games and it met with fierce protests and resistance, spilling over into HK as well.

Cantonese remains a widely-spoken dialect internationally and most Cantonese folks simply become masters of two or more languages. Preserving dialects is good as that's what separates us from the foreigners. They try hard to learn Putonghua and we simply switch to another dialect to throw them off. I have done this many times when foreigners try to eavesdrop on our conversations, especially when I am surrounded by a group of beautiful Chinese women and them foreigners try to butt in trying to show off their little knowledge of Putonghua.

Even in a thread that has nothing to do with it you still need to show off your insecurities and try and pretend to be something your not. Such a sad little boy. Hope in the coming new year you can learn to be confident enough to not have to imagine such foolish scenarios.

Firstly I am old enough to be your grandfather. Secondly, what I have described is based on real-life experiences. Too bad if you can't take it.

Oh, now it makes sense, you're a racist loser because you're an old man. No wonder it reminds me of arguing with old racist trash in the west...

Glad the modern generations are as bigoted as you.

All Chinese, young and old, think alike. So I am afraid u are out of luck there.

Most of us do think westerners are here in China to rip us off. We are not racists. Just proud of our heritage, traditions and cultures.

My friend's racist grandpa in Alberta says the same thing. It's nice to know why you say these absurd things.

China has to open its doors for the sake of business and economy. Given a choice, we would prefer to throw out the foreign devils. Like what we have done for thousands of years until the Qing Dynasty.

Uberche Wrote:
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> My friend's racist grandpa in Alberta says the
> same thing. It's nice to know why you say these
> absurd things.

It's good that you feel ashamed about your own heritage,it's only your business,not us chinese,we'll be glad if you want turn canada into a society of chinese mainstream culture,but you will never get a chance to do counterparts in China.if you don't feel ok seeing China to be pure-chinese nation,screw you,go back to your west multiculture society,we look at it falling into breaking down gladly.we don't need a west loser to teach english in China to take more talent chinese people to west,you are potential racist simply.

Chinarock Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's good that you feel ashamed about your own
> heritage,it's only your business,not us
> chinese,we'll be glad if you want turn canada into
> a society of chinese mainstream culture,but you
> will never get a chance to do counterparts in
> China.

Look at any major city in China, it's already done, enjoy your multicultural future.

> if you don't feel ok seeing China to be
> pure-chinese nation,screw you,go back to your west
> multiculture society,we look at it falling into
> breaking down gladly.

Your ignorance and biggotry against anyone not "pure blood" is sick and reminiscent of another time when another man talked about a "Pure Society" in Germany.

> we don't need a west loser to
> teach english in China to take more talent chinese
> people to west,you are potential racist simply.

Every single person in the world, is a potential racist. And if China didn't need Western "losers" to come teach English, China wouldn't be importing them by the bus load to do it.

U can't be serious. HK is easily the most "multi-cultural" and was under British influence for a century. Yet, it remains the most "racist" and "anti-foreigner" city among all Chinese cities. Go figure.

Here's survey result from your own country's newspaper:
[www.theglobeandmail.com]

Actually I wouldn't say Hongkongers are "racist" - it's just a western misconception. The right word should be "clannish" as I am Cantonese, myself, so I know how it is. We don't usually let foreigners into our culture and way of life.


Uberche Wrote:
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> Look at any major city in China, it's already
> done, enjoy your multicultural future.

Congrats Hong Kong!

Very interesting graphs' Astro.
It's obvious that the "multi-cultural" aspect is not a West against East thing.
On race, China or Taïwan are much more accepting diversity than France, but a little less than some other European countries like Italy or Spain.
Same ranking for Immigrant workers...
For heavy drinking HK is the most tolerant country, Taïwan one of the least, along with France; China is average.
For drugs addicts, HK also the most tolerant country; China, France or Taïwan not tolerant at all, like most of the countries.

I though It would have been possible to deduct a East or a West mentality through those graphs, but no.

I have a question on this topic.

the Law on Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language, this is to make Mandarin the "national" language?

Does this law try to make all people use Mandarin instead of Cantonese or is this aimed more at the city speak like Chongqinghua?

I believe it was aimed at getting everyone to be able to speak Mandarin through school standardization and such, other dialects are fine but at least you need to be able to speak the basic language of the country.

Mandarin or Putonghua is the "guo yu" or national language taught in schools across China. Every school-going kid knows Mandarin.

However, in some provinces and towns, locals still prefer to use their own difanghua (local dialects) for street conversations and among friends and relatives. Eg Chengdu, Chongqing, Changsha, Changde, etc all prefer to use their local dialects. In these cities, Putonghua is only used at official events or when hosting guests from outside.