Changes

The first Ming emperor selected the Lower Yangtse dialect of Nanjing to serve as the basis of an imperial [[lingua franca]]. This dialect was referred to as ''Guānhuà'', or "officials' speech". The word "Mandarin," first recorded in Portuguese in 1524, refers to a Chinese official. ''Guān'' was translated as "Mandarin," so the word came to refer to the dialect as well.

The first Ming emperor selected the Lower Yangtse dialect of Nanjing to serve as the basis of an imperial [[lingua franca]]. This dialect was referred to as ''Guānhuà'', or "officials' speech". The word "Mandarin," first recorded in Portuguese in 1524, refers to a Chinese official. ''Guān'' was translated as "Mandarin," so the word came to refer to the dialect as well.

Classical Chinese continued to be used for formal writing. But various works of popular literature, such as the novel ''The Golden Lotus'' (1610), were written in the Lower Yangtse dialect. In the late nineteenth century, the dialect of Beijing displaced that of Nanjing. Although the dialects of the two cities are mutually intelligible, there is considerable divergence.

Although Classical Chinese continued to be used for formal writing, various works of popular literature, such as the novel ''The Golden Lotus'' (1610), were written in the Lower Yangtse dialect. In the late nineteenth century, the dialect of Beijing displaced that of Nanjing. Although the dialects of the two cities are mutually intelligible, there is considerable divergence.

Regional language differences mainly concern pronunciation. They are far less noticeable in written form. Written Chinese is classified as either Classical or vernacular (''báihuà''). In the 1920s, Classical Chinese was displaced by a writing system based on Mandarin. Speakers of other dialects can read generally read Mandarin ''báihuà'' without difficulty, even if they do not speak Mandarin.

Regional language differences mainly concern pronunciation. They are far less noticeable in written form. Language reformers led by Hu Shih developed a writing system called ''báihuà''. This system is based on language usage in the vernacular novel ''Dream of the Red Chamber'' (1791). The novel is written in the Beijing dialect. In the 1920s, ''báihuà'' displaced Classical Chinese as the China's standard writing system.

   

   

In the twentieth century, both the [[Kuomintang | Nationalists]] and the Communists promoted the use of Mandarin. This policy has been resisted occasionally by speakers of other dialects. The popularity of Hong Kong-based pop culture has allowed the Cantonese-speaking South to resist the advance of Mandarin.

In the twentieth century, both the [[Kuomintang | Nationalists]] and the Communists promoted the use of Mandarin. This policy has been resisted occasionally by speakers of other dialects. The popularity of Hong Kong-based pop culture has allowed the Cantonese-speaking South to resist the advance of Mandarin.