Chinese, Yue

A language of China

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Cantonese, Yue, Yueh, Yuet Yue, Yueyu

Autonym

粵語‎ (Yuht Yúh)

Population

62,000,000 in China (Asher and Moseley 2007). Total users in all countries: 73,538,610 (as L1: 73,136,610; as L2: 402,000).

Location

Guangdong province: most except Hakka-speaking areas northeast, and Min Nan-speaking areas east; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: east; Hainan and Hunan provinces.

Language Maps

Southeastern China

Language Status

2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Guangdong Province. Language of recognized nationality: Han.

Classification

Sino-Tibetan, Chinese

Dialects

Siyi (Hoisan, Schleiyip, Seiyap, Taishan, Toisan), Gaolei (Gaoyang), Qinlian, Guinan, Ping, Bobai, Tengxian, Cangwu, Yangjiang, Zhongshan, Guangzhou. The Guangzhou variety considered the standard. A member of macrolanguage Chinese [zho].

Typology

SVO; prepositions; genitives, relatives, adjectives, numerals before noun heads; noun classifiers; no articles; 18 consonants, 7 vowels; tonal (6 tones: 3 level, 3 contour).

Language Use

Second only to Mandarin [cmn] in use. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn], which many understand, speaking it only with difficulty. Used as L2 by Biao [byk], Chadong [cdy], E [eee], Min Nan Chinese [nan], Vietnamese [vie], Yang Zhuang [zyg], Yongnan Zhuang [zyn], Zuojiang Zhuang [zzj].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 91% (2000 census, Han nationality). Speakers are highly literate in Chinese. Taught in primary and secondary schools. Fully developed. Bible: 1894–1981.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Chinese, Yue

Writing

Braille script [Brai], used in Hong Kong. Han script, Simplified variant [Hans]. Han script, Traditional variant [Hant], official usage in Hong Kong and Macau, also used elsewhere. Latin script [Latn], used since mid-19th century.

Other Comments

Many members of other nationalities in Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan also speak Yue dialects.

Also spoken in:

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Australia

Language nameChinese, Yue

Population Full

281,000 in Australia (2016 census).

Location

Major cities.

Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Also use English [eng].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Many Chinese people migrated to Australia during the 1850s gold rushes.

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Brunei

Language nameChinese, Yue

Population Full

6,300 in Brunei (2004 J. Leclerc).

Location

Major cities.

Alternate Names

Cantonese

Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Canada

Language nameChinese, Yue

Population Full

565,000 in Canada (2016 census).

Location

Major cities.

Alternate Names

Guangfu

Dialects

Vancouver Cantonese.

Status

4 (Educational).

Language Development

Included in provincial primary school curriculum in Ontario.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Came to Canada several decades ago from Viet Nam, Guyana, or Cuba.

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China–Hong Kong

Language nameChinese, Yue

Population Full

6,662,000 in China–Hong Kong, all users. L1 users: 6,260,000 in China–Hong Kong (2016 census). L2 users: 402,000 (2016 census).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Cantonese, Hong Kong Cantonese, Shatou, Shiqi, Wancheng

Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Hong Kong (1997, Basic Law, Article 9).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Hakka Chinese [hak].

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China–Macao

Language nameChinese, Yue

Population Full

507,000 in China–Macao (2016 census).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Macau Cantonese

Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial working language in Macao (1999, Basic Law, Article 9).

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Indonesia

Language nameChinese, Yue

Population Full

182,000 in Indonesia (2005 J. Leclerc).

Location

Jakarta Raya, Kalimantan, and central Sumatra: Scattered.

Alternate Names

Cantonese, Konghu, Yue, Yueh

Status

8a (Moribund).

Language Use

Older adults only.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Malaysia

Language nameChinese, Yue

Population Full

1,070,000 in Malaysia (2000 census). Ethnic population: 3,220,000 (2014).

Location

Johor: largest concentration.

Alternate Names

Cantonese, Yue, Yueh

Dialects

Cantonese, Toishanese.

Status

2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Johor State.

Language Use

All also use Hakka Chinese [hak]. Used as L2 by Hakka Chinese [hak].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Philippines

Language nameChinese, Yue

Population Full

9,780 in Philippines (2000).

Location

National Capital Region: Manila.

Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Singapore

Language nameChinese, Yue

Population Full

227,000 in Singapore (2015 World Factbook). Ethnic population: 409,000 (2010 census).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Cantonese

Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Home, church, friends. Used as L2 by Baba Malay [mbf].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Suriname

Language nameChinese, Yue

Population Full

5,300 in Suriname (2005 J. Leclerc).

Location

Para, Paramaribo, and Wanica districts.

Status

7 (Shifting).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Thailand

Language nameChinese, Yue

Population Full

29,400 in Thailand (1984).

Location

Scattered in Suphan Buri province: north of Bangkok.

Alternate Names

Cantonese, Yue, Yueh

Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Viet Nam

Language nameChinese, Yue

Population Full

500,000 in Viet Nam (2004 J. Leclerc).

Location

Mekong river delta area, Soc Trang, Can Tho, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Dong Nai, and Kien Giang provinces; Ho Chi Minh, Ha Noi, and Hai Phong cities; north Viet Nam-China border regions.

Alternate Names

Chinese Nung, Ha Xa Phang, Hai Nam, Han, Hoa, Kién, Liem Chau, Lowland Nung, Minh Huong, Nung, Phúc, Quang Dong, Samg Phang, Suòng Phóng, Trièu Chau

Status

6b* (Threatened). Language of recognized ethnic group: Hoa.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Part of the official Hoa 823,071 (2009 census) ethnic community. Renowned fighters. Came from Canton, China as railroad workers and soldiers several decades ago. Distinct from Nung in the Tai family or Tibeto-Burman Nung (Nu) of China and Myanmar. Daoist, Christian.

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Ethnologue

Chinese, Yue

Primary tabs

A language of China

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