Chaozhou dialect, one of the languages in China, is one of the oldest and most special languages in China, and is known as the living fossil of ancient Chinese in China. The international language code defined by UNESCO is *.
Chaozhou Fucheng was the political center of Chaoshan area in ancient times, and the accent of Chaozhou dialect was represented by Chaozhou Fucheng accent. However, in modern times, Chaozhou dialect in Shantou city has integrated the accent characteristics of Chaoshan area, and its tone is not high or low, which has become the standard accent for Chaozhou dialect to spread abroad. The standard pronunciation of Chaozhou dialect has undergone a translocation from Chaozhou dialect to Shantou dialect, which is similar to the translocation of Wu dialect from Suzhou dialect to Shanghai dialect.
Chaozhou dialect is simple and elegant, rich in vocabulary, special in grammar, rich in ancient meanings, vivid and humorous, which is very different from other languages. In addition, whether Chaozhou dialect is a language or a dialect is still inconclusive. In contemporary academic circles, Chaozhou dialect is mostly included in the sub-dialect or category of Minnan dialect. 1939 In the fourth edition of Zhao Yuanren's Map of New Provinces in China, the legend of the language area map on page 14 changed the Sino-Tibetan language system of the new map to the Sino-Tibetan language system and the Chinese language system to the Chinese language system. The "Chinese Department" in the picture is divided into nine units: Northern Mandarin, Shangjiang Mandarin, Xiajiang Mandarin, Wu dialect, Anhui dialect, Min dialect, Chaozhou dialect, Cantonese dialect and Hakka dialect.
According to historical records, Chaozhou dialect originated in Qin and Han Dynasties, developed in Tang and Song Dynasties, and formed in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, only then did it form an independent language system. Its main body is Central Plains ancient Chinese, mixed with Min dialect. Wang Shuo once said with a smile, "Qin Shihuang speaks Chaozhou dialect." Chaozhou dialect has eight tones (Mandarin has four tones). As for the eight tones of Chaozhou dialect, some people once summarized their image as "Hong Kong police, the old and the weak" and "Dishui Xidi cuisine". The earliest existing dictionary of Chaozhou dialect is Fifteen Tones of Chaozhou Dialect written by Zhang Shizhen, a businessman from Chenghai in the late Qing Dynasty.
Chaoshan area has a long history and unique folk culture. Chaoshan Shantang is a model of folk charity in China. Chaozhou cuisine is famous all over the country and is one of the top cuisines in China. As the backbone of Cantonese cuisine, Chaozhou cuisine is known as the best hall cuisine.
Chaozhou Opera is one of the top ten local operas in China. The republished Classic Collection of Beiqu Li Lan, commonly known as Classic Collection, is the first literary masterpiece written in Chaozhou dialect, with a history of more than 400 years. In terms of singing and dancing, the so-called "Yangko in the north and English songs in the south", the rugged and heroic songs and dances of Puning and Chaoyang are wonderful works in the southern art forest; As a major category of Chaozhou music, Chaozhou gongs and drums are gratifying and even more shocking at home and abroad. In addition, square performances such as Raoping Buma Dance, Chenghai Centipede Dance and Qiao Lin Fireworks Dragon are also quite ornamental; In terms of folk houses, the unique Chaoshan folk houses are classical and elegant.
To sum up, the complicated Chaoshan culture is the spiritual wealth owned by tens of millions of hipsters. Originated from Chaoshan ancestors, it was formed in Qin and Han Dynasties, developed in Tang and Song Dynasties, flourished in Ming and Qing Dynasties, and innovated in modern times. It is a branch of the excellent traditional culture of Chinese nation. She has the characteristics of compatibility between Chinese and foreign cultures, and also has her own unique cultural system. It has its own Chaozhou dialect, Chaoshan drama (Chaozhou opera, Chaozhou Tiezhi puppet show, orthographic drama), Chaozhou music, Chaozhou cuisine, kungfu tea and handicrafts (such as Chaozhou embroidery, Chaozhou woodcarving, shell carving, stone carving, embroidery, paper-cutting, sketching, bottle painting, etc.). ), Chaoshan folk customs and Chaoshan's unique charity structure (such as Chaoshan Mountain Pond). It is Chaoshan.
In terms of collection, the Overseas Chinese Cultural Relics Museum of Shantou Chaoshan Historical and Cultural Research Center is the first in China. Liu Museum in Chaonan District is the first folk museum in China, as well as Huaxia History Museum in Chaoan and other shops that still retain boudoir, such as a shop located in Taiping Road, Paifang Street, Chaozhou City. Chaozhou Chenyang Chinese Art Museum is the first individual ceramic art museum in China. Chen Shunqiang Woodcarving Art Museum, Traditional Craft Exhibition Hall, China Porcelain Capital Exhibition Hall, Zongrao Academic Museum, Danfu Cultural Relics Research Institute, and Ceramic Babel Building. Tashan Scenic Area in Chenghai District has the first folk memorial hall in China.
People's museums and former residences include Huang Qishan Chaozhou Eight Immortals Memorial Hall, Ding Richang Museum, Puning Bayi Memorial Hall, Puning Nanxi Town Yang Shixun's former residence, Puning Hongyang Town Lin Zexu's former residence (Wenchang Pavilion), Jiexi County Zeng Xijing's former residence, Puning Fangfang Memorial Hall, Puning Zhuang Shiping Museum and Puning Fang Yao's former residence. Lin Daqin's former residence in Chao 'an County and Zhang Jingsheng's former residence in Raoping County; Weng Wanda's former residence in Pengzhou, Shantou, Tang Museum in Chenghai District, Qin Mu's former residence in Chenghai District, Chenghai's hometown, Chencifu's former residence in Chenghai, Cai Chusheng's former residence in Chaoyang District, Dafeng Founder Memorial Hall in Chaoyang District and Zhou Guanghao Memorial Hall in Chaonan District.