Southern Metropolis Daily, October 22, 2010
The top headline on today’s Guangzhou-based Southern Metropolis Daily announces Look Carefully: Notice on Traffic Restrictions Released. The restrictions will be enforced beginning on November 1 and are intended to reduce gridlock for the Asian Games.
The headline makes its point using the Cantonese expression , substituting a Latin letter for the Cantonese-specific character 啲. The use of local language on the cover of an influential newspaper drew cheers from bloggers online.
Local language has been the focus of activity in other parts of the country this week, with Tibetan students demonstrating against a policy that will make Mandarin the language of instruction for all subjects apart from English and Tibetan language classes.
Links and Sources
- Southern Metropolis Daily (Chinese): Scope and time of traffic restrictions publicized
- CNN: Tibetan students protest
- The Guardian: Thousands of students protest over language curbs in Chinese schools
- Previously on Danwei: The obscene battle-cry of a Ming Dynasty war hero