"The book documents the changing language situation in urban centres in
China, gauging the impact of industrialization and the consequent population
movement on forms of language communication. Research reports detailing
aspects of the new and emerging language situation demonstrate the
interplay of the Chinese standard language, Putonghua, and various Chinese
dialects. Urban areas covered are Baotou (Inner Mongolia), Jintan (Jiangsu),
Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hainan island. The Chinese transition to an
industrial society is contrasted with post-industrialized societies in Europe.
The latter are represented by studies of the Dutch and" ... for more