Current and Future Research on Chinese Border Languages

Wang Lining and Wang Qiwei

Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2025, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (3) : 39-49.

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Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2025, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (3) : 39-49. DOI: 10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20250304

Current and Future Research on Chinese Border Languages

  • Wang Lining and Wang Qiwei
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Abstract

Chinese border languages mainly refer to the languages spoken within county-level jurisdictions along China’s land borders. This study systematically categorizes the varieties and types of Chinese border languages, highlighting their significant characteristics such as a wide array of languages, a rich diversity of ethnic groups, cross-border distribution, and pronounced endangerment. These languages are central to understanding language and scripts as both security and strategic resources. Building on this foundation, this paper reviews the accomplishments of border language investigation conducted in large-scale language surveys in China, focusing on linguistic ontology, language life, and language policy. It identifies several weaknesses in the current research, including insufficient investigation coverage, incomplete language planning frameworks, and limited progress in resource development and application. Finally, the paper provides three recommendations to advance the research, development, and application of border languages: firstly, implementing unified planning to ensure comprehensive investigation coverage; secondly, leveraging strategic guidance to enhance the border language policy framework; and thirdly, strengthening think tank construction to facilitate the transformation of research outcomes, thereby better serving social development and enhancing national language capacity.

Key words

border languages / endangered languages / national language situation / language capacity / borderland governance

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Wang Lining and Wang Qiwei. Current and Future Research on Chinese Border Languages[J]. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning. 2025, 10(3): 39-49 https://doi.org/10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20250304

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