Putonghua, more commonly known as Mandarin in English, is China’s official standard language. Efforts to popularize it across the country began as early as 1955. Today, the necessity of further popularizing it is being stressed once more. Recently, China’s media watchdog, the State General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, issued a notification, requesting all TV and radio presenters to speak standard putonghua and refrain from using any dialectical vocabulary, slang, or foreign languages during programs, except for special cases where it is necessary. The administration said that presenters should take the lead in promoting the use of standard putonghua. Program hosts will not be allowed to “imitate” the characteristic pronunciation of dialects. Presenters should also guide their guests to use standard expressions, and avoid mixing foreign languages and slang with putonghua. Variety show hosts are a key target, as “substandard” language is frequently used in their programs. 

Pro

Qin Feng

Huzhou Daily 

The recent announcement has divided people into two camps, though I am personally in support of the decision. Today, the pronunciation of characters and use of words in many TV and radio programs is not standardized, and I feel that presenters speak in too casual a manner. We will always hear anchors on entertainment programs imitating Hong Kong and Taiwanese accents and some like to mix their speech with foreign words or words from local dialects. As a result, the audience may feel that they cannot understand what is said on TV or radio programs at times.

Mass media like radio and TV stations are obligated to play a leading role in proliferating the standard use and popularization of putonghua. More importantly, it must be pointed out that demanding TV and radio programs using putonghua is not a step toward oppression of dialects, but it is a move to curb strange and irresponsible use of language, whether it is putonghua or other dialects. In this way, the decision is also a form of protection for dialects. Hearing standard putonghua on TV and radio programs is also a basic right of audiences around the country.

Con

Huang Chunjing

cnwest.com 

Every citizen has the right to choose whether they speak dialects or putonghua, and similarly, TV and radio stations have the right to decide whether dialects or putonghua will be used in their programs. The popularity of certain dialects in certain provinces or cities does not change the dominant role of putonghua in China’s mass media. The administration is going too far to restrict the use of dialects with an administrative order.

Pro

Zhang Jian

cnwest.com 

TV and radio broadcasters are obligated to take the lead in popularizing standard putonghua. The use of standard putonghua in TV and radio programs is not a move to oppress dialects. It is only to restrict irresponsible use of language in mass media. Imitating the pronunciation of dialects and using slang in programs is unprofessional.

Con

Ji Cun

Dalian Daily 

The different programs should be treated differently. The language used by news anchors must be standardized with putonghua. However, it would be strange if the hosts of entertainment programs or talk shows spoke in the same way. Dialect, as a part of culture, represents the local way of life and embodies rich history and tradition. If the local citizens, who speak dialects in their daily life, find all the TV programs aired in putonghua, will they like it? I notice a lot of TV and radio programs aired in dialects are quite popular with the local audience,

While ensuring putonghua as the mainstream language on radio and television, we should also pay attention to protecting cultural diversity. Some dialects are currently in danger of disappearing, and local governments are making efforts to protect them. Local media should play an important role in protection. By providing an easy way for more people to understand and pass on the local culture, it will ensure more flexibility to use some dialects.

Pro

Liu Yang

Beijing Times

The administration’s recent notice does not target the programs or even the dialects, but anchors’ abuse of dialects. Anchors shoulder the important mission of using and popularizing standard putonghua, as a way to promote an appropriate sense of national identity and coherence. For the sake of just attracting viewers or making more money, anchors casually use dialects. This hurts not only standard putonghua but also the dialect they use.

Currently, some anchors, particularly those of entertainment programs, frequently use local dialects, English, incorrect idioms and other non-standard language. For the younger generation, who are learning and expanding their knowledge of putonghua, such an unstructured language environment will be harmful in their development of a proper grasp of China’s official language.

Con

Guan Dongke

Shenzhen Economic Daily

Putonghua needs to be promoted around the country. According to China’s Ministry of Education, 70 percent of Chinese citizens are able to communicate in putonghua; but a large number of these people have a low level command of putonghua and a further 400 million people are still unable to communicate using putonghua. Due to these factors, the administration has demanded that presenters play a leading role by using standard putonghua in their TV and radio programs. As far as media hosts are concerned, to speak putonghua is not only one of the basic professional requirements but also an obligation.

It is necessary to refrain from imitating Hong Kong or Taiwanese accents or using expressions peculiar to local dialects or foreign languages. Not all programs should be brought under this language control plan however. For example, many local TV stations have opened hot lines, helping local people to solve the difficulties in their daily lives, and local dialects are often used. As most of the audience are local people who are used to their regional dialect, sometimes people feel that way of speaking is more acceptable than standard putonghua.

Dialects are unique local languages and some are completely different from the standard putonghua. There now exists a poor practice in the process of pushing putonghua, which is trying to make putonghua and dialects opposed to each other, as if people are only allowed to speak putonghua and must stop using their dialects. The promotion of putonghua is important, but the protection of dialects is important too. China now has around 130 kinds of local languages or dialects, but 99 are used by fewer than 100,000 people, and 20 are used by less than 1,000 people.

Con

Fu Ruisheng

Qianjiang Evening News

Dialects and slang are an important part of ordinary people’s lives, and in some sense they are a form of culture too. Particularly in south China, dialects are used widely while putonghua is not spoken as often. As a result, many programs concerning local people’s daily lives and other trivial things are more vivid when presented in local dialects. Such programs project a relaxed and lighthearted ambiance. If they are made in putonghua, then that special flavor and the humor of these programs will be lost. It would be a pity if future generations were unable to understand the local dialects that are used by their predecessors. It would be a terrible break in cultural heritage. TV and radio stations have a responsibility to popularize putonghua as well as a responsibility to protect local dialects. Dialects are not supposed to be seen as a threat to putonghua, but as a supplement. To absorb fresh and vivid expressions, styles of grammar and linguistic applications from various dialects can help putonghua retain its vitality.