The Political Linguistics of Chinese Language Regime

This introductory chapter explores how language shapes public perceptions of political authority and social order. It presents a political-linguistic perspective, the official language field theory (OLF), to understand the “language effects” of how people think and form political beliefs. The chapter questions whether these effects arise from the cultural structure embedded in the language or from the political and policy structure governing it. Focusing on the context of contemporary China, the chapter exhibits how political authority uses language to build their legitimacy and maintain social hierarchies. By highlighting the link between language and political power, this chapter shows how language not only mirrors political realities but also constructs them. OLF provides new insights into how language reinforces political ideologies, shapes perceptions of authority, and crafts narratives that sustain (or challenge) power structures. This exploration aims to encourage readers to view language governance not merely as an issue of education or public communication, but as a tool that shapes public opinion, social memory, and political stability.