LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 9 — CHINESE

Learning Chinese opens doors to understanding a rich and ancient culture and a language that is increasingly relevant in our globalized world. Mandarin Chinese, the most widely spoken language in the world, boasts over 1.1 billion native speakers, primarily in China, Taiwan, and Singapore, along with Macao, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia (worlddata.info). Mandarin Chinese is also spoken in at least 21 other countries as a mother tongue by a part of the population. The Wu and Min dialects of Chinese each have upwards of 80 million native speakers, and both languages are only spoken in Taiwan and some regions of China. There are many vibrant Chinese-speaking communities or “Chinatowns” across the world, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and Madagascar (worldpopulationreview.com).

The history of the Chinese language dates back over 4,000 years, with the earliest written records found on oracle bones from the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE). Over centuries, the language evolved through various stages, including Old Chinese, Middle Chinese, and Modern Standard Chinese. The development of a standardized written form, based on the Beijing dialect, was a significant step in unifying the languages spoken in China – a family of dialects with significant regional variations. Mandarin, the official language of China, is the most widely spoken, with approximately 70% of the population using it as their primary language. Other major dialects include Cantonese (spoken in Guangdong province and Hong Kong), Wu (including Shanghainese), Min (including Hokkien), and Xiang. Each dialect has its own unique phonetic, lexical, and grammatical features, and many are not mutually intelligible (fluentu.com). Other than in China, the Chinese language is spoken in 21 other countries as a mother tongue by at least a part of the population including many neighboring countries in Asia and surrounding regions (listed above), but also further south to Australia and New Zealand and parts of Oceania. The language is also spoken in Chinese communities or “Chinatowns” across the world, including in the United States and Canada, the United Kingdom and other locations in Europe, along with a small number of countries in Central and South America as well as some African nations like Nigeria and Madagascar.

In the United States, approximately 3.5 million people speak a form of Chinese, including Mandarin and Cantonese, making it the third most spoken language in the country (after English and Spanish). The Chinese speaking population of the U.S. is highly concentrated in the New York (549,000), Los Angeles (399,000) and San Francisco (334,000) metro areas (Census.gov). Chinese has influenced various aspects of society, particularly in areas with significant Chinese-speaking populations. Chinese Americans have established schools and cultural institutions to preserve language and heritage. Additionally, the growing economic and political ties between the U.S. and China have increased the demand for Chinese language skills in business, diplomacy, and academia. This trend reflects the broader global importance of Chinese as a key language in international relations and commerce.

In Iowa, there are approximately 6,600 speakers of Chinese, mostly in cities like Des Moines, Ames, and Iowa City, as well as Cedar Rapids, indicating a growing population particularly in areas with academic institutions and businesses with an international footprint (Language Map Data Center). There are several colleges and universities in Iowa that offer Chinese Language Programs as well as a number of student associations with a focus on China and Chinese culture. In Johnston, Iowa, just northwest of Des Moines, the Iowa Chinese Language School (ICLS) offers Chinese language classes and cultural activities for ages 4-adult, focusing not just on the Chinese language but also aspects of Chinese culture like art, dance, and sports, for a well-rounded learning experience. Iowa is also home to the Chinese Culture Center of America (cccaiowa.org) and the Chinese Association of Iowa (iowachinese.us), which offers a connection to various events including Chinese New Year celebrations in the region. And, the Iowa City Area Chinese Association is active on Facebook.

In Scott County, there are fewer than 500 speakers of Chinese, with about 130 speakers of the language residing in Davenport (IowaDataCenter.org). Davenport even has a “sister city” relationship with Langfang, China. Des Moines, Dubuque, and Cedar Rapids also have Chinese “sister cities”. Beyond Davenport, but in the Quad Cities region, Augustana College offers a Chinese minor and Asian Studies major, including four years of language instruction. Rivermont Collegiate (Upper School/High School) in Bettendorf has offered Chinese language classes to its students since 2003. And, recently, Muscatine High School began offering a Chinese language (Mandarin) class as well.

Learning Chinese offers numerous benefits. Professionally, it can enhance career opportunities in international business, diplomacy, and translation, especially given China’s significant role in the global economy. Culturally, it provides access to a vast array of literature, philosophy, and art, enriching one’s understanding of Chinese heritage. Additionally, as China continues to expand its influence, proficiency in Chinese can facilitate communication and collaboration in various fields. With millions of speakers both globally and within the United States, including Iowa, and a rich tapestry of dialects to explore, the Chinese language offers a unique and rewarding linguistic journey that will give you a strategic skill in an interconnected world.

Would you like to explore learning Chinese? Check out some of the FREE resources available to you at The Library. See our online catalog or ask a Librarian for more resources.

FOR A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO THE LANGUAGE:

Get started in Mandarin Chinese

How to learn Chinese : without even trying!

Mandarin Chinese the easy way

 

FOR A MORE LAID-BACK APPROACH:

Chinese stories for language learners : a treasury of proverbs and folktales in Chinese and English

Chinese short stories for beginners : 20 captivating short stories to learn Chinese & grow your vocabulary the fun way!

 

IF YOU ARE A VISUAL LEARNER:

 

Mandarin Chinese picture dictionary : learn 1,500 key Chinese words and phrases

Hanmoji handbook: your guide to the Chinese language through emoji

Chinese-English Bilingual visual dictionary

Chinese character writing

Chinese characters : learn & remember 2,178 characters and their meanings

Learning Chinese characters

 

MORE COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES:

 

Beginner’s Chinese

Essential Chinese grammar : write and speak Chinese like a native!

And, as a Davenport Public Library cardholder, you have FREE access to the language learning program, Mango Languages. Please check back for more resources including a more complete language learning course (in book form) for Chinese that will soon be added to our collection. In the meantime, Mango Languages is a great place to start.

 

FOR THOSE WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL:

   

Traveler’s language guides. Mandarin

Rough Guide Mandarin Phrasebook

Lonely Planet Mandarin phrasebook & CD : read, listen and practise

Chinese PhraseFinder and dictionary

Cantonese Chinese phrasebook & dictionary

 

NEXT MONTH…  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 10 — ESL

 

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LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 8 — VIETNAMESE

The Vietnamese language has been shaped not only by Chinese rule, but also by periods of independence as well as periods of French colonization. Closely affiliated with Cantonese, Vietnamese is a “tonal language” having six different tones. While it used to rely on the Chinese script, in the 20th century that was replaced with the Latin alphabet, making Vietnamese look more similar to English but with several diacritical marks. In its modern form, Vietnamese is now spoken by approximately 86 million people worldwide which makes it the 21st most spoken language globally (babbel.com). While it is the official language of Vietnam, there are about 4.5 million Vietnamese speakers living outside Vietnam. These speakers contribute to a vibrant diaspora in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and France.

In France, where over half of the Vietnamese population of Europe resides, there are approximately 400,000 people of Vietnamese descent. Another notable population of Vietnamese speakers in Europe is in Germany which has about 111,000 speakers of the language. In the Czech Republic, Vietnamese is recognized as an official language even though the population of speakers is roughly half that found in Germany. Australia, on the other hand, has a significant Vietnamese community with around 321,000 people speaking the language and another 281,810 claiming Vietnamese heritage (2021 Australia Census). In Canada, Vietnamese speakers total roughly 240,000 and reside mostly in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. But the largest population of Vietnamese speakers outside of Vietnam is in the United States.

After the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, large numbers of Vietnamese people migrated to the United States. In the U.S. today, there are an estimated 2.3 million people of Vietnamese descent. And, with over 1.5 million speakers, Vietnamese is the sixth most spoken language in the United States (census.gov). The Vietnamese-speaking population is predominantly concentrated in California and Texas, which together account for more than half of all Vietnamese speakers in the country. In fact, San Francisco recently made Vietnamese one of the official languages of the city. With nearly 6,800 speakers, it is the fourth largest language population (after English, Chinese and Spanish). Other states with significant Vietnamese-speaking communities include Washington, Florida, and Virginia.

In Iowa, there are approximately 8,500 speakers of Vietnamese, making up about .3% of the population. Almost half of the Vietnamese speakers in the state reside in and around the capitol of Des Moines. In Scott County, there are about 1,300 speakers, which is the second most spoken foreign language in the county after Spanish (4,700) and more than twice as many as the number of German speakers, which is just 600 (MLA Language Map). Just over 800 Vietnamese speakers reside in Davenport.

Acquiring a new language like Vietnamese can improve cognitive abilities, such as memory and problem-solving skills, and increase cultural awareness and empathy. Learning a new language can be a rewarding endeavor, offering insights into a rich cultural heritage and enhancing communication within diverse communities. And, unlike some other foreign languages, you don’t need to learn a new alphabet when learning Vietnamese. However, the grammar and sentence structure do differ significantly from English and you will need to factor in learning the six different tones.

If you are interested in learning the Vietnamese language, check out some of the FREE resources available to you at The Library. See our online catalog or ask a Librarian for more resources.

 

FOR A QUICK INTRODUCTION TO THE LANGUAGE:

Learn Vietnamese vocabulary

 

FOR A MORE LAID-BACK APPROACH:

Vietnamese stories for language learners

69 more short Vietnamese stories for intermediate learners

 

IF YOU ARE A VISUAL LEARNER:

Vietnamese picture dictionary

The Oxford picture dictionary. English/Vietnamese

 

MORE COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES:

 

 

Beginner’s Vietnamese : with online audio

Elementary Vietnamese

Teach yourself Vietnamese

Essential Vietnamese : speak Vietnamese with confidence!

Essential Vietnamese grammar : speak and write Vietnamese like a native!

And, as a Davenport Public Library cardholder, you have FREE access to the language learning program, Mango Languages.

 

FOR THOSE WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL:

Vietnamese phrase book & dictionary – Berlitz

Vietnamese phrasebook & dictionary – Lonely Planet

Essential Vietnamese phrasebook & dictionary

Tuttle pocket Vietnamese dictionary

 

NEXT MONTH…  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 9 — CHINESE

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LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 7 — KOREAN

Globally, the Korean language is spoken by over 80 million people, primarily in South Korea (51.7 million) and North Korea (26.4 million). Beyond the Korean Peninsula, significant Korean-speaking communities exist due to historical migration, notably China with approximately 2 million speakers. Japan hosts about 500,000 Korean speakers, mainly descendants of Koreans who migrated during the early 20th century. Further abroad, the United States is home to around 1.8 million Korean speakers, with large communities in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C.  Other countries with notable Korean-speaking populations include Russia, with approximately 250,000 speakers, and Canada, where around 218,000 individuals speak Korean (worlddata.info). Australia has a Korean-speaking population of about 102,000, primarily residing in New South Wales. Smaller communities are also found in countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and various European nations. These global communities maintain the Korean language through cultural institutions, schools, and media, preserving their linguistic heritage and contributing to the worldwide spread of Korean culture (britannica.com and pathtokorean.com).

In the United States, approximately 1.8 million people speak Korean at home, accounting for about 8% of the Asian American population. This figure includes both U.S. citizens of Korean descent and South Korean nationals living in the U.S (pewresearch.org). Korean is one of the top 15 non-English languages that is spoken in every US state making it to number four on the list of Asian American languages (gala-global.org). The Korean American community is primarily concentrated in metropolitan areas with significant immigrant populations. Notably, about 30% of Korean Americans reside in the Los Angeles and New York metropolitan areas, reflecting historical immigration patterns and the establishment of vibrant Korean communities in these regions. These communities often form tight-knit neighborhoods where Korean is commonly spoken, and cultural traditions are maintained through local businesses, schools, and community centers. Besides California and New York, other states with significant Korean-speaking populations include Hawaii (368,734), Texas (214,854), Washington (187,513), Nevada (178,655), Florida (171,931), Illinois (169,520), New Jersey (150,084), and Virginia (119,925). The growth of the Korean-speaking population in the U.S. has been substantial in recent decades increasing by about 330% between 1980 to 2010.

In the State of Iowa, the Korean-speaking population is somewhere around 3200 speakers and is concentrated in Des Moines and Ames, with Des Moines having the largest community at 860 speakers (census.gov). While both Iowa State University in Ames and The University of Iowa in Iowa City both have Korean Student organizations on campus, the latter educational institution is the only one in the state that provides Korean language and culture courses. And, since 1979, the Korean American Society of Iowa (KASI) in Des Moines has stood “as the sole nonprofit organization dedicated to representing and empowering the Korean and Korean American community within the state of Iowa” (kasiorganization.org). Finally, Scott County, Iowa has only 225 speakers (iowadatacenter.org).

But, according to a 2021 report from the language learning app, Duolingo, Korean is in the top 6 most popular languages to learn around the world (English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Italian, and Korean). The surge in interest in learning Korean is largely attributed to the global phenomenon known as the Korean Wave, or “Hallyu,” which encompasses the international popularity of Korean music, films, and television dramas. This cultural movement has significantly increased the number of non-native speakers learning Korean, as individuals seek to engage more deeply with Korean media and culture (linguakorean.com and asiasociety.org). Learning Korean opens doors to various career opportunities, especially in fields like international business, technology translation, and diplomacy. South Korea is home to global giants like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG, making knowledge of the Korean language an asset for professionals looking to engage in the East Asian market (koreatimes.com). Moreover, the U.S. government considers Korean a critical language, offering scholarships and career opportunities in agencies such as the CIA, Department of State, and NSA for individuals with Korean language skills.

Beyond professional advantages, learning Korean allows for a deeper appreciation of Korea’s rich history and cultural traditions. Understanding the language enhances one’s ability to enjoy Korean literature, cuisine, and festivals, fostering a more meaningful connection with the culture. Additionally, as Korean is written using the Hangul alphabet, which is phonetic and logical, it is considered more accessible for English speakers compared to other East Asian languages like Chinese or Japanese (ethnologue.com). So, whether for personal enrichment, cultural exploration, or professional advancement, learning Korean offers a rewarding and enriching experience.

Check out some of the FREE resources available to you at The Library as you begin (or continue) learning Korean. See our online catalog or ask a Librarian for more resources.

COMPREHENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSES:

  

Learn, listen, & speak Korean

Beginner’s Korean with online audio

Mastering Korean. Level one

And, as a Davenport Public Library cardholder, you have FREE access to the language learning program, Mango Languages.

 

FOR A MORE LAID-BACK APPROACH:

 

Korean short stories for beginners: Improve your Korean

Korean short stories for beginners: 20 Captivating Short Stories

Korean folktales for language learners

Korean stories for language learners

Intermediate Korean short stories

Short stories in Korean for intermediate learners

 

IF YOU ARE A VISUAL LEARNER:

Korean picture dictionary : learn 1,500 Korean words and phrases

Korean Hangul for beginners

 

IMPROVING YOUR GRAMMAR:

Korean grammar for beginners

Korean grammar : the complete guide to speaking Korean naturally

 

FOR THOSE WHO PLAN TO TRAVEL:

Korean phrase book & dictionary

Korean at a glance

Korean phrasebook & dictionary

 

NEXT MONTH…  LEARN A LANGUAGE — Part 8 — VIETNAMESE

 

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