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China's language policy was certainly formulated for Tibet
in light of the conditions, and also by reference of the experiences
of other countries.
The PRC Constitutions stipulated the freedom allowed the
various ethnic groups to use and develop their own languages.
Related laws with stipulations concerning ethnic minority
languages include the PRC Law on National Regional Autonomy,
the PRC Organic Law on Courts, the PRC Law on Legal Suits,
the PRC Law on Election of Deputies to the National People's
Congress and Local People's Congress, the PRC Organic Law
on the National People's Congress, the PRC Regulations on
ID Cards for Citizens, and the PRC Law on Compulsory Education.
They guaranteed the freedoms enjoyed by various ethnic minorities
to use and develop their own languages. And they form the
basis of the Chinese Government's policies on ethnic minority
languages.
Before the 1980s, China's policy featured efforts to use
and develop the various languages. After the 1980s, however,
these policies underwent a major change to bilingualism.
With the changing situation after the 1980s, China issued
more policies on bilingualism. These include the PRC Law on
National Regional Autonomy promulgated in 1984. It encourages
cadres of various ethnic groups to study a second language,
and study Han Chinese while using their own language. Tibet,
Xinjiang, Yanbian, Liangshan Yi and Garze Tibetan Prefectures
all worked out their own rules in response.
In 1991, the State Civil Affairs Commission sent a report
to the State Council on matters concerning ethnic minority
languages. It later replied, explaining the related policies
and tasks: Guaranteeing the ethnic minorities right to use
and develop their own languages; pressing ahead with the language
work of various ethnic groups in stimulating local political,
economic and cultural undertakings.
The task is to standardize ethnic minority languages; translate
and publish more works and promote academic research in them;
and encourage people of various ethnic groups to study a second
language.
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