How the Dialect Use Shapes Mindsets: A Case of Domestic Migration

This chapter turns the focus from the official language to dialects in the official language field. It investigates why migrants in China choose certain destinations over others, focusing on the interplay between government language policy and language differences. While state policies aim to reduce communication barriers by promoting a common national language, regional vernaculars continue to play a vital role in regional communication and identity recognition. Using a combination of survey experiments and econometric analyses of nationally representative data, this chapter examines the dual roles of language as both a communication tool and a cultural marker in migration decisions. It finds that dialects still hold significant influence over migration choices, even after accounting for individuals’ economic considerations and the widespread promotion of the official language. This chapter illustrates that migrants are more likely to choose destinations where local vernaculars are similar to their own, despite the widespread adoption of a common national language. Once migrants settle in these new locations, the common language facilitates ongoing communication, helping them remain in their chosen destinations. However, the local vernacular still holds cultural significance, indicating that both the common language and regional dialects are crucial in shaping migration patterns. These insights highlight the enduring influence of dialects on social integration and have broad implications for migration policy and citizenship management in societies with diverse linguistic landscapes.