Continuum of Fujian language boundary perception: dialect division and dialect image

It is argued that the dialects of South China are as different from each other as the European languages are. This paper reports on a perceptual dialectological investigation of linguistic difference in Fujian Province, where dialectical difference is said to be intense. The dialect image technique was applied, so informants were asked to partition a map with lines. The geographical areas as partitioned according to “same as my variety” , “similar to my variety ” and “cannot understand at all ” were analyzed. Since varieties in “cannot be understood at all ” exist side- by-side in Fujian Province, there are several dialects which have the status of independent language according to linguistic difference perceptions. Hokkien and the Hakka language are perceived as separate languages. Hokkien (or Min) is f urther divided into several sub dialects, including Southern Min, Eastern Min, Northern Min, etc. Although mutual intelligibility is difficult for any two geographic extremes, there is a chain of mutual intelligibility between neighboring locations. It is also perceived that they are par t of the Chinese language (Mandarin, Putonghua being the standard). Certain cities such as Fuzhou and Xiamen are associated with the image of “correct ”. Their respective varieties are considered socially high and their mutual intelligibility is low. They occupy the social status of independent language.