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Cantonese

Source: Xi Lu

Profile

Native Name
None

Total Speakers

There is not a particular number of native-speakers. However, it is believed to be between 60 million and 120 million.

Usage By Country
Cantonese is used in different countries, including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, America, Canada and so on.

Background
As one of the most famous dialects of Chinese Language, Cantonese have several alternative names, such as “Jyut Jyu”, “Gwongzau Waa” and “Gwongdung Waa”in Cantonese, as well as “Yue Yu” , “Guangzhou Hua” and “Guangdong Hua” in Mandarin.
Focus on the origin of Cantonese, there are different hypotheses, one of which is relative with Qin Dynasty. It is believed that Qin Shi Huang, namely the first emperor of Qin, have ever sent a large number of soldiers to conquest Southern China. Afterwards these soldiers settle in the land and assimilate local people, their language is the precursor of Cantonese.
Initially the native-speakers of Cantonese live in Pearl River Delta of China, especially Guangzhou and the vicinity. In Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, due to work or refuge, many native-speakers become migrant and take Cantonese to other areas, such as Southeast Asia and North America.
Hong Kong is a metropolis in which Cantonese is the official language. Since 1980s, popular songs made by Hong Kong become famous in China Mainland. Most of these songs are written and sung in Cantonese, as a result, in the Mainland, many youths out of Pearl River Delta begin to know Cantonese.
Alternate Names : Chinese Yue, Gwong Dung Waa, Yue, Yueh, Yuet Yue, Yueyu.

Received 5/31/2016
Posted 5/31/2016
Checked 5/31/2016