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Why Chinese Languages Are Called "Dialects" and Why It's Wrong

Posted by Teddy Nee on December 01, 2025

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Popular Posts

9 Multilingual News Websites For Reading Practice

Learners learn languages in many different ways, such as attending language classes, playing games, or listening to audio. Whatever the methods are, they usually cover four aspects of language learning: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Mastering only one or two of these is not enough because, in reality, we read, listen, speak, and write.

5 Famous Polyglots and Their Learning Techniques

You may have watched videos of people speaking in multiple languages. Some of them even call themselves hyperpolyglots. Whether they really can speak fluently or not, we don't know unless we test them. However, here I shall present 5 renowned polyglots that have been on the news, in the community worldwide and have proved their exceptional linguistic capabilities.

I speak 4 languages in Penang Malaysia and I shall learn 1 more language

I spoke 4 languages: Hokkien, Indonesian, English, and Mandarin on my recent trip to Penang. There was no communication barrier since the Penangnites are mostly multilingual too, at least, they know a bit of each language. They are also familiar with the Indonesian language because of the many tourists from Indonesia, either for tourism or medical checkups. I had learnt Tamil before but it was not enough for me to have a conversation yet. I will learn Tamil more seriously from now on, so I can use it on my next trip to Penang.

6 Local Writing Systems in Indonesia

Indonesia is a vast country in Southeast Asia that anyone can recognize easily on the map because it borders the sea, thus its country border is also the sea border. Hundreds of ethnic groups and languages exist in Indonesia. Despite having numerous writing systems, the government recognizes the Latin alphabet as the official writing system, which was introduced during the colonization by the Europeans.

Polyglot Conference 2025 Taipei

The Polyglot Conference, a multilingual event, took place from November 10 to 12 in Taipei. More than 400 people from around the world attended this 3-day event in Taipei. My wife and I joined from the beginning until the end. I met many old and new friends at this event. I also asked two friends who have written books to sign their books for me. In this event, I had the chance to speak Hokkien, Indonesian, English, Mandarin, Spanish, Esperanto, Portuguese, and Tok Pisin. People in the photos come from the following countries: Indonesia Eswatini South Africa Taiwan Malaysia Philippines Guatemala Germany USA UK Haiti Belgium China St. Vincent and the Grenadines South Korea Netherland Costa Rica Romania France In addition, there were 2 authors whom I know and whose book I have bought. One is a Hokkien from the Philippines who has written a book about the Filipino Hokkien language. The other person is a Taiwanese lady whose husband is from Guatemala; she wrote a book about learning l...

A unique group of Chinese Indonesian: Why are they still able to converse fluently in Hokkien after most areas have been "Indonesianized"?

Before visiting Medan, Indonesia, like many non-Indonesians who have never visited Medan, I thought that the local Chinese were highly Indonesianized, just like other parts of Indonesia such as Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung. Therefore, when I visited Medan for the first time in 2009, I was deeply surprised by the fact that most of the local Chinese, including children, speak fluent Hokkien, as Hokkien is also my father's native dialect.

Nauruan Language

The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a two-day event promoting the Asia-Pacific culture in the capital city of Taiwan, Taipei City, on September 28-29th. The participants come from the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Vietnam, Tuvalu, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Palau, Nauru, Malaysia, Kiribati, Japan, Indonesia, India, Fiji, and Brunei. Apart from performing dances from each country, the participants also displayed a wide variety of handicrafts and artworks as well as authentic cuisine at each country's booth.

How to learn Tamil script in 3 weeks?

Learning the entire Tamil script in three weeks is an ambitious but achievable goal with consistent effort and a structured approach. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you master the Tamil alphabet in that timeframe: Week 1: Learn the Basics Understand the Tamil Script Structure: Tamil has 12 vowels and 18 consonants. First, focus on memorizing the vowels and consonants, as they form the foundation for compound letters. Practice Writing: Write each vowel and consonant repeatedly to build muscle memory. Use a notebook or practice sheets to trace and write the letters. Use Flashcards: Create flashcards for each vowel and consonant. Test yourself daily to reinforce recognition. Listen and Repeat: Use audio resources to learn the correct pronunciation of each letter. Repeat the sounds aloud to improve your pronunciation. Week 2: Master Compound Letters Learn the Rules for Compound Letters: Compound letters are formed by combining vowels and consonants. Understand the patterns (e.g., ...

Did you know these invented languages?

There are invented languages for movies and games, or even arts and international communication. People will still be inventing languages for whatever reasons. The following are some invented languages that you might not know before. Viossa is a language inspired by the sounds and aesthetics of nature. It uses a unique phonetic system and a grammar based on natural language patterns. Viossa is a relatively new language, but it has gained a following among language enthusiasts who appreciate its beauty and creativity. Sindarin is an Elvish language from J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, known for its beauty and complexity. It has a rich vocabulary and complex grammar, reflecting the ancient culture of its speakers. Sindarin is often used in songs and poetry, and it is considered one of the most beautiful languages in fantasy literature. Quenya is another Elvish language from Middle-earth, known for its elegance and formality. It is a more formal and literary language than Sindarin, and...

Bisindo: One of two Indonesian sign languages

Bisindo, short for "Bahasa Isyarat Indonesia," is the sign language used by the deaf community in Indonesia. Recognized as an official language, Bisindo plays a crucial role in facilitating communication for individuals with hearing impairments across the archipelago. Bisindo incorporates regional signs, reflecting the diverse cultures and languages found in Indonesia. This characteristic allows it to adapt and evolve, making it relevant to various communities while maintaining a cohesive linguistic identity. On the other hand, SIBI, or "Sistem Isyarat Bahasa Indonesia," is a system of Indonesian sign language that was developed to standardize communication among the deaf community in Indonesia. It was introduced to facilitate education and communication for deaf individuals, especially in formal settings. To simplify them, SIBI is the standard language and Bisindo is the colloquial language. I chose to learn Bisindo because this is what they use in daily life. Luck...

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