Chinese, Hakka

A language of China

ISO 639-3

hak

Alternate Names

Hokka, Ke, Kechia, Kejia, Majiahua, Tu Guangdonghua, Xinminhua

Autonym

客家話‎ (Hakkafa)

Population

43,500,000 (Asher and Moseley 2007). Total users in all countries: 48,458,500 (as L1: 48,210,500; as L2: 248,000).

Location

Guangdong province: greatest concentrations east and northeast; Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan, south Jiangxi, and Sichuan provinces: west and southwest. Widespread with other dialects.

Language Maps

Southeastern China

Cambodia

Taiwan

Language Status

5 (Developing). Language of recognized nationality: Han.

Classification

Sino-Tibetan, Chinese

Dialects

Yue-Tai (Meixian, Raoping, Taiwan Kejia), Yuezhong, Huizhou, Yuebei, Tingzhou (Min-Ke), Ning-Long (Longnan), Yugui, Tonggu, Huayang, Hailu, Changting, Pingdong. Yue-Tai (Meixian) is standard dialect. Lexical similarity: with Gan Chinese [gan]. A member of macrolanguage Chinese [zho].

Typology

SVO; tonal.

Language Use

All ages. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Used as L2 by She [shx].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 91% (2000 census, Han nationality). Highly literate in Chinese and they use that literature. Literature. Newspapers. Periodicals. Radio. Videos. Grammar. Bible: 1916–2012.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Chinese, Hakka

Writing

Han script, Traditional variant [Hant]. Latin script [Latn], used since early 19th century.

Also spoken in:

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Brunei

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

3,000 (2004 J. Leclerc).

Location

Major cities.

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Cambodia

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

500 (2011 SIL).

Location

Ratanakiri and Stung Treng provinces: border areas, 2 enclaves along Sesan river.

Status

6a (Vigorous).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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China–Hong Kong

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

289,300 in China–Hong Kong, all users. L1 users: 42,300 (2016 census). L2 users: 247,000 (2016 census).

Location

New Territories.

Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Some young people, all adults. Most also use Yue Chinese [yue], especially young people.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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China–Taiwan

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

2,580,000 (2015).

Location

Hsinchu, Kaohsiung, Miaoli, Pingtung, and Taoyuan counties; New Taipei Municipality.

Dialects

Hailu (Hi-Lu, Hoilluk, Hoiluk), Sanhsien (Shi Xien, Shigen, Shixien).

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Saisiyat [xsy].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Settled in Taiwan for 200 years. Sanhsien closely resembles Yuetai of Mainland China. Hailu closely resembles Yong-Ting or Yuqui of Mainland China.

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French Guiana

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

13,800 (2016).

Location

Cayenne district: Cayenne, Kourou, Macouria, Matoury, and Remire-Montjoly communes, especially in urban concentrations. Central coast.

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Language Use

Use is being maintained.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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French Polynesia

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

1,100 in French Polynesia, all users. L1 users: 100 (2015 census). L2 users: 1,000 (2015).

Location

Windward Islands.

Status

7 (Shifting).

Language Use

Home, church. Adults only. Also use Tahitian [tah].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Buddhist, Christian, traditional religion.

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Indonesia

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

640,000 (1982).

Location

Widespread. Provinces: Aceh, Bangka-Belitung, Java (5 provinces), Lampung, Maluku (Ambon island), Papua (Jayapura city), Riau Islands (Batam island), North and South Suluwesi, North and South Sumatra; West Kalimantan: Singkawang city; South Kalimantan: Banjarmasin city.

Status

7 (Shifting).

Language Use

Most remaining speakers are of the grandparent generation.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Malaysia

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

1,090,000 (2000). Ethnic population: 2,920,000 (2014).

Location

Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor: scattered, especially in major towns.

Dialects

Loong Chun, Her Po.

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Language Use

Stronger in Sabah, weakening in Semenanjung. Spoken as L2 by anyone attending Chinese school, or employed by Chinese (of any Chinese ethnicity), or with Hakka classmates. Home, Friends. Mixed use: Religion, Work. All ages. Positive attitudes. Most also use English [eng], Mandarin Chinese [cmn], Sabah Malay [msi], Yue Chinese [yue]. Many also use Rungus [drg], Standard Malay [zsm]. A few also use Min Nan Chinese [nan]. Used as L2 by Brunei [kxd], Bugis [bug], Kadazan Dusun [dtp], Keningau Murut [kxi], Lotud [dtr], Mandarin Chinese [cmn], Min Dong Chinese [cdo], Min Nan Chinese [nan], Pu-Xian Chinese [cpx], Rungus [drg], Tahol Murut [mvv], Tatana [txx], Timugon Murut [tih], Yue Chinese [yue].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 100% in Roman script (Pinyin); many are able to read the language in Chinese script. Literacy rate in L2: 100% in English [eng]; 100% in Sabah Malay [msi]; 75% in Standard Malay [zsm]; 50% in Chinese Mandarin [cmn].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Panama

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

27,000 (2017 JoshuaProject).

Location

Panamá province: Salsipuedes, a suburb of Panama City.

Status

6a (Vigorous).

Language Use

Also use Spanish [spa].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Singapore

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

233,000 (2010 census).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Hokka, Ke, Kechia, Kehia, Kek, Khek

Status

6b (Threatened).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Suriname

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

7,300 (2005 J. Leclerc), decreasing. Ethnic population: 12,000 (1971). Includes Yue [yue].

Location

Saramacca district: scattered.

Alternate Names

Kejia

Status

7 (Shifting).

Language Use

Home, friends. Over 60 years old. Neutral attitudes.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Thailand

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population Full

58,800 (1984).

Location

Chiang Mai province; Krung Thep province: Samphanthawong district; Nakhon Ratchasima and Udon Thani provinces: urban areas.

Status

5 (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Ethnologue

Chinese, Hakka

Primary tabs

A language of China

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