Definition

Noun: 1. A Chinese language variety: The Hakka dialect is a distinct variety of the Chinese language, part of the Sino-Tibetan language family. It is primarily spoken by the Hakka people. 2. A southeastern Chinese dialect: This dialect is spoken in several provinces in southeastern China, including Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Fujian, as well as in diaspora communities worldwide.

Usage

• The term "Hakka dialect" is used to refer specifically to this language variety. It functions as a proper noun.
• It is used in linguistic, cultural, and historical contexts to identify the language of the Hakka people.

Examples

• As a subject:
  • The Hakka dialect has preserved many ancient Chinese pronunciations.
• As an object:
  • She is conducting research on the Hakka dialect.
• In a possessive or descriptive phrase:
  • The grammar of the Hakka dialect is quite systematic.
  • He gave a lecture about Hakka dialect poetry.

Advanced Usage

• In academic contexts: The term is used in linguistics, anthropology, and Chinese studies to discuss language classification, migration patterns, and cultural preservation.
  • The paper analyzes tonal changes in the Hakka dialect over three centuries.

Variants and Related Words

• Hakka (noun/adjective): This is the more common shorthand. "Hakka" can refer to the people, the language, or attributes related to them.
  • He speaks Hakka. (Here, "Hakka" implies the Hakka dialect.)
  • Hakka cuisine is famous for its salty and hearty dishes.
• Kejia (noun): This is the Mandarin Chinese pinyin transliteration (Kèjiā) for "Hakka," sometimes used in scholarly works.

Synonyms

• Kejia dialect: A direct transliteration synonym, identical in meaning.
• Hakka language: A more formal synonym that emphasizes its status as a full language variety rather than just a "dialect."

Notes on Meaning

• While commonly called a "dialect" in English, from a linguistic perspective, Hakka is often considered a language in its own right, as it is not mutually intelligible with other major Chinese varieties like Mandarin or Cantonese. The term "dialect" in this context is a conventional label within the Chinese language family.

Noun

1. a dialect of Chinese spoken in southeastern China by the Hakka