China's Assimilationist Language Policy: The Impact on Indigenous/Minority Literacy and Social Harmony

“Beckett and Postiglione’s book is a solid introduction to the changing language policy
landscape in China and how these changes affect stability, especially in regard to education and social harmony among the minority population. The book leaves the reader with a clear conclusion that the Chinese government’s language policies work out differently in practice for different minorities and that education for minorities is a major key to achieving and maintaining social harmony… It is highly recommended to everyone interested in language and language education policies in China and to those interested in minority issues in China.” – Heidi Cobbey, SIL International, East Asia Group; China Information 2012 26: 383

Gulbahar H. Beckett is Associate Professor of Sociolinguistics at the University of Cincinnati, USA. Gerard A. Postiglione is Professor and Head, Division of Policy, Administration and Social Sciences, and Director of the Wah Ching Center of Research on Education in China of the University of Hong Kong.