ABSTRACT

China has huge ethnic minorities – over 40 different groups with a total population of over 100 million.  Over time China’s policies towards minority languages have varied, changing from policies which have accommodated minority languages to policies which have encouraged integration.  At present integrationist policies predominate, notably in the education system, where instruction in minority languages is being edged out in favour of instruction in Mandarin Chinese.  This book assesses the current state of indigenous and minority language policy in China.  It considers especially language policy in the education system, including in higher education, and provides detailed case studies of how particular ethnic minorities are being affected by the integrationist, or assimilationist, approach. 

part |29 pages

Background and historical review

part |141 pages

Empirical research studies

chapter |21 pages

China's minorities without written scripts

The case of education access among the Dongxiang*

chapter |16 pages

Bilingual education in China

The case of Yunnan

chapter |17 pages

Language issues in Chinese higher education

The case of Korean and Mongol minority groups

part |51 pages

Theoretical, ideological, and legal issues

chapter |15 pages

Chinese—English bilingual education in the PRC

Implications for language education for autochthonous ethnic minorities

chapter |18 pages

Minority language rights and education in China

The relevance of human rights law and substantive equality