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May 27, 2013

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Slow going on dialect broadcasts for buses

SHANGHAI'S top transport official said yesterday it will take time to add Shanghai dialect broadcasts to more bus routes.

Sun Jianping, director of the Shanghai Transport and Port Administration, was responding to complaints from local people that such broadcasts are being added too slowly because he doesn't support the idea.

"I'm a Shanghai local myself and have deep affection for the dialect," Sun said. "How can I oppose broadcasts in Shanghainese?"

So far bus lines No. 11, 69 and 765 provide both Shanghai dialect and Mandarin broadcasts. Trials have started on more bus lines, said the administration. Some seniors said they could not understand Mandarin and hope for more Shanghai dialect broadcasts.

Sun said the issue was more complicated on the city's Metro system because Mandarin and English broadcasts are already used.

There may not be enough time to add broadcasts in three languages as some subway stations are very close together, Sun said.

The issue has drawn complaints from out-of-towners. Some people from other areas of the country said in their online posts that locals are self-centered. Shanghainese countered that it's only natural they would want such broadcasts in their own dialect.

In a survey on weibo.com, more than 85 percent of respondents agreed it was a good idea to introduce Shanghai dialect broadcasts on public transport while about 9.5 percent said no. The survey attracted more than 1,500 responses.




 

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