Roberto Barone

University of Salamanca, Spain

Title: Does a Separate Hui Language Exist?

---

Biography

Abstract

The question of whether the Hui people speak a distinct language is complex. While there is no standardized or officially institutionalized "Hui language," a vibrant, unstandardized linguistic practice does exist. This spoken language is syntactically and phonetically based on local Chinese dialects but is written using the Arabo-Persian script. Its vocabulary is composed of a variable percentage of elements primarily from Arabic, as well as Persian and Uighur.

The formation of this unique linguistic practice is linked to the history of Persian in China. Persian was once a lingua franca and a language of prestige and diplomacy during the Ming dynasty. Although Emperor Hongwu's 1368 edict banned the public use of foreign languages, it did not erase the languages used by Sino-Muslims. Instead, scholars hypothesize that it initiated a period of "triglossia" for the Hui people, who continued to use Chinese, Persian, and Arabic in different spheres of life.

The adoption of Chinese allowed the Hui to participate more deeply in the empire's socio-political life. From this perspective, linguistic assimilation was a creative force that helped transform immigrant Muslim communities into a distinct ethnic group from the 15th century onward.

Scholars debate how to define what the Hui speak. Some suggest "Hui Chinese" to indicate a non-standard form of Mandarin, while others use "Hui language." The term "Hui Chinese" is seen as limiting because it frames their speech within Mandarin, ignoring Arabic and Persian influences. However, it avoids the ambiguity of "Hui language," which might imply a completely separate language system. The term "Hui language" (huizu yuyan) can also be used to describe a specific set of vocabulary within a semantic field, rather than a fully autonomous linguistic system.

Historian Bai Shouyi offers a nuanced view: the Hui speak Chinese that respects Mandarin's grammar and most of its vocabulary, yet it cannot be defined as standard Mandarin because it contains many Arabic words. This hybrid language is a crucial component of Hui ethnic identity.

The religious vocabulary of the Hui is particularly significant. It consists largely of phonetic transliterations of Arabic and Persian words used to explain the Qur'an. This religious language is not a primary means of communication but is used exclusively for religious education, mixing Chinese and Arabic grammar.

Estimates suggest there are around 10,000 loanwords in Hui Mandarin. Of these, approximately 2,000 are phonetic calques, while the rest are morphological calques. The "Handbook of the Language Used by the Hui" reports that out of 1,031 loanwords, 568 are morphological calques (491 from Arabic, 77 from Persian) and 491 are phonetic calques (429 from Arabic, 62 from Persian). Notably, many phonetic calques do not respect the syllabic structure of Chinese, making them difficult to pronounce and highlighting the unique, hybrid nature of the Hui linguistic identity.

This conference presentation will argue in favour of recognizing the Hui language as a distinct entity. Furthermore, it will propose concrete ways to preserve and revitalise it through the educational system, including bilingual curricula, the development of teaching materials, and the integration of Hui language and script into community-based schools.