I live in New Zealand, and I still make the occasional trips back to my hometown (Bintangor, Sarawak, MALAYSIA) where Foochow is the main Chinese ‘dialect’ in use but I have noticed that Foochow youths -especially those who are products Chinese Language (Mandarin) Primary Schools- have almost no sense of pride in this rather unique branch of the Chinese Language.

Of course Foochow is not the only victim of Mandarinization. Penang Hokkien is another example to the extent that there are people out who make conscious efforts to revive or revitalize the use of Penang Hokkien by actively publishing books. I reckon, similar efforts should be undertaken to address the issue of decline in the context of Foochow.

The uniqueness and inpenetrability of Foochow is even acknowledged by one western scholar of the Chinese Language, Daniel Kane. Let’s do something about our beloved tongue. It will be a shame if it is allowed to die a natural death!

To many youngsters, Foochow lacks many new terms and hard to learn as it has many irregularities. Unsuere about point 3 (as not a China citizen) but agrees rest of the points.

However, if Foochowese are in economy, then Foochow may survive as more will pick up the language.

That’s just my 2 cents.

I revisited your site “Wishing Upon A Star…” just now and was surprised that you mentioned me.

It was nice that you explained through your blog on the ‘vanishing’ Foochow language at its place of origin so that it could be shared with others.

Point no. 1 is a factor in Sibu, Malaysia too. There is just not enough ‘loyalty’ to the language.

Point no. 3 was a surprised because I thought most migrants would be from nearby towns and villages, which are Foochow-speaking areas too.

Point no. 4 sees some reversal of fortune in the state of Sarawak (where Sibu lies). The earliest Chinese immigrants were Min Nan traders and the dominant language was Hockien/ Teochew in urban areas, including Sibu. In recent history, Foochow has overtaken them economically and the Foochow has now migrated from Sibu to other cities/ towns, snapping up business premises and houses, thus driving up prices of homes in these cities and towns. People of other dialect groups are now very envious of the successful Foochow (and angry with them for causing prices to go up). Unfortunately, the Foochow language does not follow these migrants from Sibu and spread to other cities/ towns.