Assessing Language Vitality and Sustainability of Minor Chinese Dialects: A Case Study of Dapeng, a Hakka–Cantonese Mixed Dialect

The Dapeng dialect is a unique Hakka–Cantonese mixed spoken by several thousand speakers in the peninsula Shenzhen, Guangdong, and Manhattan, New York. This study reviews language vitality assessment frameworks for their applicability to Chinese languages assesses sustainability of using UNESCO Language Vitality Endangerment scale. Despite some factors indicating low vitality, an overall suggests sustainable vigorous use local community. shows that not all minor dialects China are severely endangered. It sheds light on complexities multilingual societies, emphasizing importance appropriate evaluative accurate view specific sociolinguistic ecologies. also contributes discussions about maintenance policy China, particularly under tension between Putonghua context sustainability.