This book documents the changing language situation in urban centres in China, gauging the impact of industrialization and the consequent population movement on forms of language communication. Research reports detailing aspects of the new and emerging language situation demonstrate the interplay of the Chinese standard language, Putonghua, and various Chinese dialects. Urban areas covered are Baotou (Inner Mongolia), Jintan (Jiangsu), Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hainan island. The Chinese transition to an industrial society is contrasted with post-industrialized societies in Europe. The latter...