Item – Theses Canada

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OCLC number
1019479293
Link(s) to full text
LAC copy
Author
Burnham, Sherryll.
Title
Becoming Chinese : the Construction of Language and Ethnicity in Modern China.
Degree
M.A. -- University of Toronto, 2011
Publisher
Ottawa : Library and Archives Canada = Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, 2012.
Description
1 online resource
Notes
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
<?Pub Inc> This thesis explores how the standardization of language in China has been used, historically and contemporarily, as a means to unify the empire and restructure relations between citizens and the state through processes of identification. Looking in particular at the case of China's minzu (ethnic groups), I argue that the current trend instituted through policies at the top-level is to eliminate linguistic and cultural diversities through the promotion of Putonghua as the lingua franca and to eventually amalgamate all minzu of the multi-minzu state into a mono-minzu, Zhonghua Minzu (citizens of the Chinese nation). Beginning with an overview of the historical practices of language standardization, I show how the ideological nature of politically influenced terminologies in the Chinese language has contributed to this restructuring of identity. With identity tied closely to language, recently enacted laws in mainland China have brought the government a step closer to achieving its ultimate goal of creating a mono-minzu state.
ISBN
9780494764572
0494764570
9780494764572