Diglossia as a Form of Language Organization in Shanxi Province in the Light of Charles Ferguson’s Theory

This article investigates the phenomenon of diglossia as a sociolinguistic model of language organization in Shanxi Province — a historically and linguistically significant region of Northern China characterized by a strong dialectal tradition. The research centers on the relationship between standard Chinese (Putonghua) and local varieties of the Jin dialect (晋语), focusing on how these two language codes coexist and function across different communicative domains: daily conversation, family interaction, cultural contexts, and partially within religious practices. The study analyzes the extent to which this regional case aligns with the classical diglossia model proposed by Charles A. Ferguson, while also identifying the transformative dynamics driven by rapid urbanization, internal migration, modernization, and state-led linguistic unification. The methodological framework of the study includes sociolinguistic observation, descriptive analysis, the method of comparative interpretation, and semi-structured interviews with 60 native speakers across different age groups and urban-rural settings. This empirical basis allows the author to describe the functional distribution of the high (H) and low (L) language varieties, noting a consistent diglossic structure in public and private communication. However, deviations from the classical model are evident: the younger generation increasingly exhibits code-switching, a weakened command of the dialect, and a growing shift toward a bilingual norm. These findings indicate the erosion of traditional diglossic boundaries and point toward a transitional phase in language use patterns. The scientific novelty of this research lies in the regional application of Ferguson’s theory to Chinese sociolinguistic material, specifically to a province that has received little attention in this context. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the evolving relationship between official and regional linguistic forms in China under the influence of educational policy, digital communication, and cultural identity preservation strategies.

diglossia, Shanxi, Putonghua, Jin dialect, sociolinguistics, intergenerational differences, language policy, Chinese dialects, functional distribution, Ferguson's model