Chinese, Hakka

A language of China

Hokka, Ke, Kechia, Kejia, Kejiahua, Majiahua, Tu Guangdonghua, Xinminhua

客家話‎ (Hakkafa)

36,600,000 in China (2019). Total users in all countries: 44,065,190 (as L1: 43,817,190; as L2: 248,000).

Guangdong province: greatest concentrations east and northeast; Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan, south Jiangxi, and Sichuan provinces: west and southwest. Widespread with other dialects.

Language Maps

4 (Educational). Language of recognized nationality: Han.

Classification

Sino-Tibetan, Chinese

Dialects

Yue-Tai (Meixian, Raoping, Taiwan Kejia), Yuezhong, Huizhou, Yuebei (Northern Guangdong), Tingzhou (Min-Ke), Ning-Long (Longnan), Yugui, Tong-Gui, Hai-Lu, Yuexi (Western Guangdong). Yue-Tai (Meixian) is standard dialect. Lexical similarity: with Gan Chinese [gan]. A member of macrolanguage Chinese [zho].

Typology

SVO; tonal.

Language Use

Used by all. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Used as L2 by She [shx].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 91% (2000 census, Han nationality). Highly literate in Chinese and they use that literature. Literature. Newspapers. Periodicals. Radio. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1916–2012.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Chinese, Hakka

Writing

Han script, Simplified variant [Hans]. Han script, Traditional variant [Hant]. Latin script [Latn], used since early 19th century.

Also spoken in:

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Australia

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

8,990 in Australia (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Brunei

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

2,750 in Brunei (2019).

Location

Major cities.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Cambodia

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

500 in Cambodia (2011 SIL).

Location

Ratanakiri and Stung Treng provinces: border areas, 2 enclaves along Sesan river.

Language Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Canada

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

10,900 in Canada (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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China–Hong Kong

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

289,300 in China–Hong Kong, all users. L1 users: 42,300 in China–Hong Kong (2016 census). L2 users: 247,000 (2016 census).

Location

New Territories.

Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Some young people, all adults. Most also use Yue Chinese [yue], especially young people.

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China–Taiwan

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

4,240,000 in China–Taiwan (2017 J. Leclerc).

Location

Hsinchu, Kaohsiung, Miaoli, Pingtung, and Taoyuan counties; New Taipei Municipality.

Dialects

Hailu (Hi-Lu, Hoilluk, Hoiluk), Sanhsien (Shi Xien, Shigen, Shixien).

Language Status

4 (Educational).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Saisiyat [xsy].

Language Development

Taught in some primary schools in early grades only.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Settled in Taiwan for 200 years. Sanhsien closely resembles Yuetai of Mainland China. Hailu closely resembles Yong-Ting or Yuqui of Mainland China.

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French Guiana

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

14,700 in French Guiana (2019), based on ethnicity.

Location

Cayenne, Kourou, Macouria, Matoury, and Remire-Montjoly communes, especially in urban concentrations. Central coast.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Use is being maintained.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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French Polynesia

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

1,100 in French Polynesia, all users. L1 users: 100 in French Polynesia (2015 census). L2 users: 1,000 (2015).

Location

Windward Islands.

Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Language Use

Home, church. Adults only. Shifting to Tahitian [tah].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Buddhist, Christian, traditional religion.

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Indonesia

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

640,000 in Indonesia (1982).

Location

Widespread. Provinces: Aceh, Bangka-Belitung, Java (5 provinces), Lampung, Maluku (Ambon island), Papua (Jayapura city), Riau Islands (Batam island), North and South Sulawesi, North and South Sumatra; West Kalimantan: Singkawang city; South Kalimantan: Banjarmasin city.

Language Status

8a (Moribund).

Language Use

Older adults only. Most remaining speakers are of the grandparent generation. Shifted to Indonesian [ind].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Jamaica

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

76,000 in Jamaica (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Malaysia

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

1,810,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Location

Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor: scattered, especially in major towns.

Dialects

Loong Chun, Her Po.

Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Stronger in Sabah, weakening in Peninsular Malaysia. Spoken as L2 by anyone attending Chinese school, or employed by Chinese (of any Chinese ethnicity), or with Hakka classmates. Home, Friends. Mixed use: Religion, Work. Some of all ages. Used by all ages in Sabah; not used by many young people in Peninsular Malaysia. Positive attitudes. Most also use English [eng]. Most also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Most also use Sabah Malay [msi]. Most also use Yue Chinese [yue]. Many also use Rungus [drg]. Many also use Standard Malay [zsm]. A few also use Min Nan Chinese [nan]. Used as L2 by Brunei [kxd], Bugis [bug], Kadazan Dusun [dtp], Keningau Murut [kxi], Lotud [dtr], Mandarin Chinese [cmn], Min Dong Chinese [cdo], Min Nan Chinese [nan], Pu-Xian Chinese [cpx], Rungus [drg], Tahol Murut [mvv], Tatana [txx], Timugon Murut [tih], Yue Chinese [yue].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 100% in Roman script (Pinyin); many are able to read the language in Chinese script. Literacy rate in L2: 100% in English [eng]; 100% in Sabah Malay [msi]; 75% in Standard Malay [zsm]; 50% in Chinese Mandarin [cmn].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Mauritius

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

4,100 in Mauritius (Leclerc 2018c).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Panama

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

29,000 in Panama (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Location

Panamá province: Salsipuedes, a suburb of Panama City.

Language Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Language Use

Also use Spanish [spa].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Réunion

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

11,400 in Réunion (2017).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Singapore

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

233,000 in Singapore (2010 census).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Hokka, Ke, Kechia, Kehia, Kek, Khek

Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Suriname

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

9,000 in Suriname (2018), decreasing. Ethnic population: 12,000 (1971). Includes Yue [yue].

Location

Saramacca district: scattered.

Alternate Names

Kejia

Language Status

8a (Moribund).

Language Use

Home, friends. Older adults only. Neutral attitudes. Shifted to Sranan Tongo [srn].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Thailand

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

79,000 in Thailand (Leclerc 2019a), based on ethnicity.

Location

Chiang Mai province; Krung Thep province: Samphanthawong district; Nakhon Ratchasima and Udon Thani provinces: urban areas; Nan province: Mueang district and municipal districts.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Also use Northern Thai [nod] (Luangthongkum 2010). Also use Thai [tha] (Luangthongkum 2010).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Chinese, Hakka [hak] children in Nan province are literate in Thai [tha] also use Northern Thai [nod].

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United States

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

3,800 in United States (2015 census). United States Census figure for all Chinese varieties: 2,900,000 (2015).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Many also use English [eng].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Vietnam

Language NameChinese, Hakka

User Population

1,650 in Vietnam (2019 census), based on ethnicity.

Location

Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and Thai Nguyen provinces.

Alternate Names

Người Ngái, Ngái

Language Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Chinese, Hakka

Primary tabs

A language of China

Also spoken in:

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