An investigation of senior secondary students' attitudes to Putonghua, Chongqing dialect, and English in Chongqing, Mainland China

Abstract

China is a country of linguistic and cultural diversity (Ng & Zhao, 2015; Zhao & Liu, 2020), with numerous Han language varieties and non-Han ethnic minority languages (Liang, 2015). The country’s national language policies promote two standard language varieties: Putonghua as the national language and English as the foreign language, respectively, for national communication (Gao, 2012) and international competitiveness (Feng, 2005). This study explored the language attitudes of senior secondary students in Chongqing towards Putonghua, Chongqing dialect, and English and the variables that influence the students' language attitudes. Both direct methods (a questionnaire survey and interviews) and an indirect research method (a Matched-guise test) were utilized. The findings revealed some discrepancies and similarities between the respondents' overt and private attitudes. In addition, Chongqing dialect and English were attached to the highest and lowest integrative value respectively, while English was ascribed the highest instrumental value but Chongqing dialect the lowest in both the participants’ overt and private perceptions. This study also suggests that the students’ core attitudes towards the English or Putonghua are instrumental while that to Chongqing dialect is integrative. 15 out of 17 variables investigated in this study were found to have a significant perceived influence on the participants' attitudes. In contrast to previous studies focusing on college students in socially-economically more developed cities, this study of the under-researched group of secondary students in Chongqing has provided some implications for language curriculum design and language policy making for this city.