A Study of Language Contact and Shift in Harqin of Ningcheng County, Inner Mongolia

Abstract

The Mongolian language in Ningcheng county is in a state of endangerment. In endangered Mongolian (Harqin dialect) communities, the family is the mother-tongue source, whereas society is the Han-language source, and under normal circumstances the actual language use by members of the community approaches the median of the use of both languages. The usual process of language shift consists of the development of bilingualism, limited use of Mongolian, and gradually expanded use of Han. Thereafter Mongolian recedes from public domains of language use, bilingualism declines, and use of Han steadily rises. Ultimately a complete shift to Han ensues. The shift from Mongolian to Han takes place faster in urban areas than rural areas, faster among children than their parents, and faster among cadres than peasants and students. In communities where Mongolian is endangered, schools are important defenses for protecting the mother tongue and culture. Distinctions should be made and caution exercised when minority schools are merged.