language

What’s Chinese for ‘Midwest Nice’?

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

Not everyone likes to be called “qin” — roughly equivalent to “dear” in English — so why do some online businesses insist on using it anyway?

Qian Linliang

Talk of the Towns: China’s Local Governments Step Up to Save Dialects

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

With young Chinese fueling a revival of regional dialects, local governments across the country are now launching educational programs and media initiatives to preserve cultural identity.

Fan Yiying

Laugh in Translation: Shanghainese Comedy Stands Up to the Mainstream

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

Amid a surge of interest in local culture, young Chinese are reconnecting with their heritage through stand-up comedy in various dialects. Comedians are now drawing packed houses and even taking their acts overseas.

Zhang Zhen

In China’s Array of Dialects, Emerging Writers Find a New Voice

While novels in regional dialects aren’t new in China, they have surged in popularity among young writers in recent years, particularly amid increased social media exposure.

Yang Caini

Lin Pingxiu

China Moves to Standardize Place Names With Pinyin System

The proposed measures aim to standardize names across the country, including for parks, streets, complexes, major infrastructure projects, and residential communities.

Ding Rui

China’s Last Esperanto Students

Visual stories that get up close and personal with contemporary China. A mix of short videos, documentaries, photography, and data visualization.

MULTIMEDIA

China used to have one of the world’s largest communities of Esperanto speakers. But the language is now in danger of disappearing from the country completely.

He Kai

Wu Huiyuan 

360° Video: The ‘Hanzi Modern’ Exhibit 

Sixth Tone unveiled “Hanzi Modern: The Past, Present, and Future of Chinese Fonts,” an exhibition dedicated to the technology, culture, politics, and history behind Chinese fonts’ digital transformation.

Sixth Tone

Event: The Past, Present, and Future of Chinese Fonts

The latest news about Sixth Tone and announcements about its events, projects, and other initiatives.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sixth Tone holds an exhibition on the modernization of Chinese font design.

Before Asian Games, Hangzhou Students Tutor Elderly in English

From students tutoring their grandparents to public transportation staff undergoing English training, Hangzhou is abuzz with preparation for the multi-sport event.

Yang Keyi

China Promotes Language Standardization in IT Products, Publications

The first-of-its-kind rules apply to basic software, language processing software, and all digital publications.

Li Xin

Bilibili’s Bullet Screen Comment of 2022 Is ‘Grace’

The word is described as having “a calm attitude under any circumstances.”

Duolingo Makes a Comeback With Hit Cantonese Lessons 

Cantonese learners in the Chinese mainland say there is a lack of authentic resources when it comes to learning the language.

Wu Peiyue

State Media Criticizes Chengdu Shop Signs in Romanized Chinese 

Shop owners say the move was part of the local government’s beautification initiative ahead of the now postponed World University Games.

Gu Peng

What It Means When Epidemic Prevention Becomes a ‘War’

Treating illness like a battle can help mobilize popular support, but what about the long-term risks?

Yang Zheng

China to Hunt Down ‘Incorrect and Non-Standard’ Fonts

Publishers, packaging designers, and others will be asked to self-regulate in an effort to eliminate “weird” and “ugly” writing.

Chopsticks, Pixels, and the Pioneers Who Redesigned Modern Chinese

Early efforts to digitize Chinese characters faced an almost insurmountable problem: How do you turn blocky pixels into smooth strokes?

Liu Yuli

The Best Chinese Internet Slang, 2021 Edition 

A list of online buzzwords that lived a life of their own on online platforms this year.

Canton’s Unease: As Mandarin Spreads, Locals Face Identity Crisis

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

Amid the push for linguistic unity, languages across China stare at irrelevance. Cantonese is no exception.

News Window

Sichuan Says Officials Must Drop Dialects at Work

The government has long promoted the use of standardized Chinese, which currently 80% of Chinese people can speak.

Wang Lianzhang

The Problem With China’s English-Only Schools

English as a medium of instruction is increasingly popular with parents looking to prepare their kids for an overseas education, but what do the students think?