Cantonese Corner - let migrants organically grow with the city in Guangzhou Library

Cantonese Corner - let migrants organically grow with the city in Guangzhou Library

Located in the south of China, Guangzhou is the birthplace of the world-known dialect “Cantonese”, which still prevails in the city. Based on the CPPC Government’s Report 2018, Guangzhou has a registered permanent residents (mainly locals) population of 9.192 million, and a registered migrants population of 9.673 million. Migrants are more than locals in Guangzhou. Since dialect is the gateway to a region’s culture, to make migrants organically grow with the city instead of being outsiders, Guangzhou Library has run “Cantonese Corner” to all residents since 2014, with a special focus on migrants. The Cantonese Corner combines with 2 series. A primary series “Cantonese Learning Course” helps migrants with zero basis get dialect sense and make simple conversations. They can reinforce what they’ve learnt in their everyday life. An advanced-level series “CHI-YUE Lecture” is offered to all residents with interests in Cantonese. The lecturers dig deep into every aspect of Cantonese: Cantonese song lyrics, Cantonese Cuisine, Cantonese Opera etc. Running for 4 years, the Cantonese Corner has made 24 topics, 138 lessons to about 8,600 on-site participants. Ever since 2018, the Corner has lived with Guangzhou Broadcasting Network, making over 60,000 listeners all over China to join in through broadcasting media. According to the survey, 8,600 on-site participants have three main purposes. In the following brackets, listen to what they said: 15% are families with kids (I wish my kids to grow like locals! ) ; 71% are young and middle-aged(Cantonese is a tool to make living easier.); 14% are elderly(I do want to know Cantonese better, and get identity sense.). Through the library one can feel the heartbeat of the city better. The Cantonese Corner makes the heartbeat sound more harmonious, uniting migrants and locals together.