Chaozhou dialect, formerly called "Chaozhou dialect", is now generally called "Chaoshan dialect", also called Chaoshan dialect, which is called "Chaozhou dialect" for short. It is a branch of Minnan dialect, with Shantou dialect as the standard pronunciation. It is also one of the oldest and most special dialects in China.
Chaozhou dialect is the main carrier of Chaoshan culture, which is mainly composed of Chaozhou songs, Chaozhou dramas, Chaozhou dramas, Chaozhou books, Chaozhou dramas, Chaozhou songs, local proverbs, sketches, riddles and stories. It retains the ancient meaning of Chinese, occupies an important position in the study of Chaozhou, ancient books and ancient poems, and is also a distinctive symbol of Chaoshan people, who regard it as an important communication link.
Chaozhou dialect is one of the remains of ancient Chinese in China, which can be traced back to the pre-Qin period before the Tang Dynasty, and it is also one of the oldest official languages in China. Chaoshan dialect has initials 18, finals 6 1 and tones 8. Many ancient sounds, ancient words, ancient vocabulary and ancient tones that modern Chinese (Mandarin) does not have are preserved. Known as the "living fossil of ancient Chinese", it has important linguistic research value.
According to relevant historical records, Chaozhou dialect originated in Qin and Han Dynasties and was shaped in Tang and Song Dynasties. After the Ming Dynasty, Chaozhou dialect was completely separated from Fujian dialect and became an independent sub-dialect.