“粤语”“闽南语”和“沪语”:汉语方言称“语”的三种形成模式

On Three Cases of Dialects Termed YU(Language):Cantonese,Hokkien and Shanghai Dialect

本文在回顾前人对方言与语言边界意识形态属性研究的基础上,将方言称"语"现象的成因概括为3种模式:"粤语"模式是古来一级方言称"语"的传袭,"闽南语"模式是自治状态下的次级方言提升为"语",而"沪语"模式则是他治状态下的次级方言提升为"语"。本文对3种模式的性质进行了思考,并提出了初步的政策建议,如加强党政机关和新闻媒体的语言国情教育;在相关法律法规尚存真空的情况下,为方言的具体称谓及称谓的使用制订既尊重历史习惯,又严守政治"红线"的部门规范;对社会的一般使用,一级方言建议可采用"方言"称谓等。

Based on previous studies of the ideological nature on the distinctions between dialects and languages, the paper focuses on the phenomena that dialects are termed YU（language）, and categories its motivations in three cases. In the Cantonese case, YU is a tradition from the ancient times for the major Chinese dialects which were generally termed YU. In the Hokkien case, YU reflects a fact that despite an insignificant dialect, in a relative autonomous administration, it is still elevated to the level of YU. For the Shanghai dialect case, it is termed YU due to its speakers＇ inclination to highlight their Shanghainese identity. Against this backdrop, the paper also discusses different natures of these cases, and makes some tentative proposals for legislations and administrations, including to strength the awareness of China＇s linguistic situation for the Party and government institutions and the media professionals. It is also necessary to make regulations for how to use the alternative terms, YU, Fangyan, based on history, social customs and political doctrines. I also recommend to adopt ＂dialect＂ as the standard term for major dialects for the general public.