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UPDATED: March 5, 2008 NO.10 MAR.6, 2008
Should News Anchors Speak Only in Mandarin?
More than 80 percent of people on the Chinese mainland communicate through thousands of dialects daily
 
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I'm not optimistic about the effect of dialect-speaking TV programs in protecting and promoting local languages. As long as it is not suitable for daily communication, a dialect, no matter how popular it was, would be abandoned and lose the status of a cultural symbol.

Yu Wenda (newssc.org): China's language system in urban areas is a unique one featuring a three-part blend, including officially used Putonghua, original dialects characterized by local traditions and dialects used by the migrant population. Among them, original dialects are mostly used due to geological and social reasons. In many areas, however, Putonghua and local dialects have existed in tandem for years.

As urbanization speeds up, rural populations are pouring into cities, bringing with their dialects. A diversified urban language system will help harmonize our living environment by accommodating people speaking different languages or dialects.

If a city could preserve its historical tradition and local culture and its indigenous population remained effectively large, the local dialect, as an embodiment of the cultural characteristics of people living in the region, would not become extinct. Local language preservation efforts are therefore insignificant.

Protect diversity

Hu Yinbin (hlj.rednet.cn): As the argument on standardization of Chinese language escalates, the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television released a circular in 2004, totally phasing out dialect-speaking programs in the country. One year later, it required all news anchors to speak Putonghua by dropping all accents. In 2006, it went deeper by restricting dialect-speaking programs at radio and TV stations at the local level.

A clear signal has been sent by the authority that China is determined to standardize its language by reducing the use of dialects on public occasions.

But these so-called dialects are part of local cultures, and effective in identifying groups of people from different areas. In this sense, dialects are genes of minority culture and an intangible legacy.

Protection of dialects remains on a superficial level, rather than being revitalized in reality. But languages, closely related to a social environment, are handed down by people who have spoken them for generations. Failing this they will be easily forgotten and eventually become extinct.

Xiao Yun (Jiangnan Times): Compared with TV broadcasts using official Putonghua, dialect-speaking programs are fresh and special to local residents, who are more comfortable with familiar languages.

It is a concern that such programs will challenge the dominant role of Putonghua, but in fact, they are not necessarily in contradiction by attracting different audiences. Dialect-speaking programs are more favored by township residents aged above 30, while Putonghua broadcasts are mostly used by the middle class in urban areas.

Gao Yifei (hlj.rednet.cn): Each active language contains rich cultural and historical elements and reflects customs and the spirit of a region. As we know, standardization is convenient for communication, and starting from 1955, the government began to promote Putonghua. Until today, dialects are looked down on and even ridiculed in some metropolitan areas. That is definitely a tragedy for our culture.

Yu Jianfeng (Tianjin Daily): Putonghua is a symbol of unity, and dialects have deep roots in the traditions of an area, so they can complement each other in reality. Standardized Putonghua is more exact, while dialect-speaking programs are closer to those who understand them and are a way in which they feel at ease.

Dear Readers,

"Forum" is a column that provides a space for varying perspectives on contemporary Chinese society. In each issue, "Forum" will announce the topic for an upcoming issue. We invite you to submit personal viewpoints (in either English or Chinese).

Upcoming Topic: Can excessive charges on plastic bag use effectively wipe out this environment-unfriendly packaging?

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Editor: Yao Bin 

 

 

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