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Learn Shanghainese In the 18th and 19th centuries when the Europeans colonized much of the world, most didn't bother to learn the local languages of their colonies. Those who did were derisively referred to as "having gone native". The "ruling class" actually sought to keep themselves isolated and seperate from those they lived among and ruled. It sounds like what is happening in Shanghai. Chinese Mandarin speakers, feel no need to learn Shanghainese because the Shanghainese will speak Mandarin to them. It is the "I will not go to them, they will come to me" attitude. If you are Chinese and live in Shanghai, work in Shanghai, claim Shanghainese as your friend and colleagues, yet you refuse to learn Shangahainese, it can be only one of two things - arrogance or laziness. Hopefully it is laziness. Everyone should have the right to speak, and learn in their own language. China should look to the modern European model, where most people are bilingual, or multilingual. I can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Taiwanese and English, and I am the richer for it. China should be confident enough to accept diversity within unity. No one is saying that speakers of Wu, Xiang, Gan, Yue, Min or Hakka (Kejia) are not Chinese. What makes China interesting, colorful, and rich is the diversity of her people. |