Bilingualism and Diglossia in the Modern Language Situation in China

Abstract. The article presents an analysis of the concepts of bilingualism and diglossia in the modern Chinese language situation. The relevance of the study is determined by the increased attention of the PRC authorities to the language policy, the purpose of which is to form a single national identity of the country's citizens based on the use of the Mandarin Chinese. The aim of the study is to analyze and classify the current language situation and predict development trends or degradation of bilingualism and diglossia in China.

The following conclusions were obtained during the study:

First, there is a trend towards an increase in the number of bilingual population due to the spread of the use of the Mandarin Chinese. However, a further increase in the number of Mandarin Chinese speakers will inevitably lead to a reduction in the bilingual population due to the rejection of the use of languages of minority `groups`, colonizers, as well as local dialects.

Secondly, the situation in China with the demarcation of languages and dialects is noticeably politicized and leads to further complication of studying the extent of real bilingualism.

Thirdly, the growth of the bilingual population is carried out not only by expanding the use of the Mandarin Chinese, but also by increasing the population that speaks other foreign languages, but the reduction in the use of languages of minority `groups` as well as local dialects, in our opinion, will become inevitable process.

Keywords: sociolinguistics, language policy, China, Mandarin Chinese, bilingualism, diglossia

For citation: Zakliazminskaia E.O. Biligualism and Deglossia in the Modern Language Situation in China. Modern Oriental Studies. 2022; 4 (4). P. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24412/2686-9675-4-2022-7-19