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September 13, 2013

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Shanghai dialect to be used in buses

By Ma Yue | September 13, 2013, Friday | Print Edition

Shanghai’s public buses will also broadcast announcements in local dialect from next month, local transportation authorities said yesterday.

Currently, the announcements are made only in Mandarin and English.

Language models and regulations will be handed out to the city’s public bus companies, who will then implement them from October — first on new routes, and then on other lines gradually.

Commuters gave a positive feedback after the dialect was tested on bus routes like No. 785 and No. 11.

The operator of bus No. 11 said the dialect added flavor to the route that services the Yuyuan Garden.

But not all were happy with the addition.

Some of the passengers complained that with stops just 500 meters away, the announcements were a bit wearisome, if not unnecessary.

The city first started experimenting Shanghai dialect in buses at the end of 2011 on route No. 785 in Pudong.

It was later added on six further routes including No. 11 and No. 49 in downtown.

The community routes, or buses running in suburban villages, will have announcements in two languages — Mandarin and a choice of Shanghai dialect and English.

The new regulations also state that suggestions like “please offer seats to those who need help” will only be run on display screens.

Shanghai dialect was added into bus broadcasts following requests by senior citizens.

Others believe the addition of the local dialect on public transportation would keep alive the city’s cultural heritage.

There are no plans to add the dialect on the subway trains.

 


 

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