RE: HGN: Hakka origin, a biological genetic

[sllee <sllee@mail.asiawind.com>]

On Wed, 9 Oct 1996 teoh@cs.utk.edu wrote:

> This is an article by Taiwanese Hakkas that visited mainland Hakka area
> recently.  Ibelieve it is the group that Lim Kong Liang was talking about
> where singers, and writers and a host of others form a trip to mainland. 
> On their last stop at Long Yen, some of their tapes were confiscated and 
> the mainland Hakkas guide were questioned by the Gong An in Long Yen(
> Dragon Rock). The magazine is Hakka Monthly, it was either September or 
> August issue this year.  

About confisticating foregin magazines, I believe this is something still
annoying. Especially in the remote rural areas, the progress can be
draggingly slow. Foreign magazines are sold in China now. I don't think Hakka
magazine would cause any trouble unless there is some political propaganda
accompanying it. I don't know if this Hakka magazine is the one published in
Taiwan or the one in Meixian. They certainly would not snatch the one
published in Meixian. 

> The plate is displayed in selected buses and > bus station urging people to
use "civilized"language which implies > Hakka is not a civilized language.  >

I think this is a misunderstanding, unless it really says "No Hakka".  There
was a movement several years ago about "civilizing" China like don't spit,
don't talk foul language..(Guangdong foul language is world famous). The
plate is probably a reminiscence of that movement. I think they meant foul
language rather than Hakka.  Certainly nobody can say Hakka is an uncivilized
language. Unless the policy has changed dramatically lately that I have not
noticed, it has been a national policy to encourage the maintenance of
minority traditions including language, customs. I know of an Institute of
Nationalities Studies (Studies of minorities) in Beijing.  I hope it still
exists.  

SL Lee