Standard Zhuang
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Standard Zhuang is the standardized form of the Zhuang language, an Austronesian language isolate spoken by the Zhuang people in Guangxi, China. It is the official language of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and is used as a lingua franca among the various Zhuang dialects. Standard Zhuang is based on the Bouxian Zhuang dialect, which is spoken in the Bouxian region of Laibin. The language has a significant number of loanwords from Mandarin Chinese.
Introduction
Standard Zhuang is an official language of Guangxi and is used in various contexts, including education, government, and media. It is also used as a lingua franca among the various Zhuang dialects, which are mutually unintelligible. The language has a unique grammar and phonology, which distinguish it from other languages in the region.
History
The development of Standard Zhuang began in the 1950s, when the Chinese government established a language planning committee to create a standardized form of the language. The committee was composed of linguists and Zhuang language experts, who worked to create a standardized orthography and grammar for the language. The first dictionary of Standard Zhuang was published in 1957, and the language has since been used in various contexts, including education and government. Zhou Enlai, the Premier of the People's Republic of China, played a significant role in promoting the use of Standard Zhuang.
Features
Standard Zhuang has a unique phonology, which includes a series of tones that are not found in Mandarin Chinese. The language also has a complex grammar, which includes verb conjugation and case marking. Standard Zhuang is tonal, with a total of six tones, which are marked with diacritical marks in the standard orthography. The language has a significant number of loanwords from Mandarin Chinese, as well as from other languages, such as Hmong and Yao languages.
Usage
Standard Zhuang is used in various contexts, including education, government, and media. It is the medium of instruction in Zhuang-language schools and is used in official documents and public signs. The language is also used in literature and music, and there are a number of Zhuang-language newspapers and radio stations. Guangxi Television broadcasts programs in Standard Zhuang.
Dialects and Variations
There are several Zhuang dialects, which are mutually unintelligible and are spoken in different regions of Guangxi. The main dialects are Bouxian Zhuang, Shanglin Zhuang, and Wenxian Zhuang. Standard Zhuang is based on the Bouxian Zhuang dialect, but it has been influenced by other dialects and has features that are not found in other dialects. Zhuang language experts continue to study and document the various dialects.
Orthography
The standard orthography of Standard Zhuang was developed in the 1950s and is based on the Latin alphabet. The orthography uses a number of diacritical marks to indicate tone and other phonological features. The orthography has undergone several changes since its development, with the most recent revision being made in 1986. Language planning efforts continue to promote the use of Standard Zhuang.