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: 47,825,550 (as L1: 47,824,550; as L2: 1,000).

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

3,000 (2004 J. Leclerc).

Status

3 (Wider communication).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Cambodia

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population

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

68,300 (2006 census).

Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Some young people, all adults.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of China–Hong Kong

China–Taiwan

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population

2,370,000 (1993).

Location

Miaoli and Taoyuan counties: on northwest coast; Hsinchu and New Taipei municipalities; Kaohsiung and Pintung counties: on south coast.

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

5,000.

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.

View other languages of French Guiana

French Polynesia

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population

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

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

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

1,090,000 (2000). Ethnic population: 1,650,000 (2010 census).

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

6,000 (1981 MARC). Ethnic population: 30,000 (1981 MARC). Includes Cantonese [yue].

Location

Panamá province: Salsipuedes, a suburb of Panama City.

Status

6a (Vigorous).

Language Use

Also use Spanish [spa].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Panama

Singapore

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population

69,000 (1980). Ethnic population: 233,000 (2010 census).

Alternate Names

Hokka, Ke, Kechia, Kehia, Kek, Khek

Status

6b (Threatened).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Singapore

Suriname

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population

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.

View other languages of Suriname

Thailand

Language nameChinese, Hakka

Population

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.

View other languages of Thailand

Ethnologue

Chinese, Hakka

Primary tabs

A language of China

Also spoken in:

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