China's youth leading a dialect revival

中国青年引领方言复兴

Round Table China

2025-11-19

28 分钟
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单集简介 ...

A newfound appreciation for local dialects is growing on China's university campuses. Recent surveys reveal that an overwhelming majority of students are interested in these regional tongues and want to help preserve them. This interest has sparked practical action, and students are now at the forefront of a movement to weave these ancient linguistic threads into the fabric of modern life. On the show: Niu Honglin, Steve & Yushan
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单集文稿 ...

  • Discussion keeps the world turning.

  • Hello, welcome to Roundtable,

  • where we serve up piping hot debates on the issues that sizzle in China and beyond.

  • I'm Niao Honglin.

  • China's campuses are witnessing a quiet yet notable cultural shift.

  • A nationwide survey shows that over 96% of university students express interest in dialects,

  • and nearly 99% say they are willing to contribute to their preservation.

  • From dialect poetry competitions to AI-powered documentaries, projects,

  • young people are reshaping how original languages survive and evolve.

  • Today, we look at what's fueling this nude,

  • renewed enthusiasm and what it means for cultural identity,

  • education, and language policy in a rapidly modernizing society.

  • For this episode, I'm joined by Steve Hatherly and Yushan.

  • Now grab your virtual compass and follow us to the heart of the discussion.

  • Dialect content is trending again.

  • From campus competitions to dialect meme culture,

  • young creators are remixing old sounds into new forms.

  • But this isn't just nostalgia.

  • It's revival, it's creativity, and it's a cultural movement powered by the gen's ears.

  • I can't wait to find out how students are using short videos,