The varieties of spoken Chinese in China (CLICK double rectangle image to the right for a larger map.)Various styles of Chinese calligraphy.
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Chinese

Chinese (汉语/漢語, Pinyin: Hànyǔ; 华语/華語, Huáyǔ; or 中文, Zhōngwén) is a language (or language family) that forms part of the Sino-Tibetan family of languages. more...

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About one-fifth of the people in the world speak some form of Chinese as their native language.

In general, all varieties of Chinese are tonal and analytic. However, Chinese is also distinguished for a high level of internal diversity. Regional variation between different variants/dialects is comparable to the Romance language family; many variants of spoken Chinese are different enough to be mutually incomprehensible. It could be argued that there are more native "Romance" (Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, etc.) speakers than "Chinese" speakers. There are between six and twelve main regional groups of Chinese (depending on classification scheme), of which the most populous by far is Mandarin (c. 800 million), followed by Wu (c. 90 million), and Cantonese (c. 80 million). The identification of the varieties of Chinese as "languages" or "dialects" is a controversial issue. If Chinese is classified as a single language rather than a group of languages, it is the most widely spoken language in the world.

The standardized form of spoken Chinese is based on the Beijing dialect, a member of the Mandarin group; it is described in the article "Standard Mandarin". Standard Mandarin is the official language of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China on Taiwan, as well as one of four official languages of Singapore (together with English, Malay, and Tamil). Chinese—de facto, Standard Mandarin—is one of the six official languages of the United Nations (alongside English, Arabic, French, Russian, and Spanish). Spoken in the form of Standard Cantonese, Chinese is one of the official languages of Hong Kong (together with English) and of Macau (together with Portuguese).

Read more at Wikipedia.org


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Lovely Chinese Soapstone Carving Ducks Lotus BlossomsLovely Chinese Soapstone Carving Ducks Lotus Blossoms Chinese Tibet silver Amber Scorpion PendantsChinese Tibet silver Amber Scorpion Pendants
Large 19c Chinese Canton Famille Rose Oval Platter Large 19c Chinese Canton Famille Rose Oval Platter 1 Dish 1 Bowl Nanking Cargo 1752 Christie'S 1986 Blue1 Dish 1 Bowl Nanking Cargo 1752 Christie'S 1986 Blue
Set of four 18th/c chinese blue and white platesSet of four 18th/c chinese blue and white plates Beautiful Carved Red Glass Horn Shape Cup w271Beautiful Carved Red Glass Horn Shape Cup w271
Old chinese Netsuke signedOld chinese Netsuke signed .625x.625 inch antique Chinese button, bird.625x.625 inch antique Chinese button, bird $5.00
Stunning Huge Chinese Porcelain Vase Bronze Base 1860Stunning Huge Chinese Porcelain Vase Bronze Base 1860 $909.00 Twist Carving Chinese White HeTian Nephrite Jade BangleTwist Carving Chinese White HeTian Nephrite Jade Bangle $49.99
Antique 19th C Chinese Quartz Brush Pot Pine TreeAntique 19th C Chinese Quartz Brush Pot Pine Tree jadeite carved boulder jadeite carved boulder
Antique Water Buffalo Horns Carved Mop Inlayed DargonAntique Water Buffalo Horns Carved Mop Inlayed Dargon $45.00 Han Dynasty Bronze bellsHan Dynasty Bronze bells
Nanking Cargo Christie'S Catalogue 1986 Shipwreck 1752 Nanking Cargo Christie'S Catalogue 1986 Shipwreck 1752 $150.00 A Blue & White Kang-Xi BowlA Blue & White Kang-Xi Bowl $35.00
 Old Sea Shell Silver Tea Cup From Bhutan Old Sea Shell Silver Tea Cup From Bhutan .125x.625 inch Tiny antique Chinese ornament, rat.125x.625 inch Tiny antique Chinese ornament, rat $5.00
Vintage Hand Painted Asian Figure Tilso 7.5" Tall Vintage Hand Painted Asian Figure Tilso 7.5" Tall Chinese old silver toothpicks holderChinese old silver toothpicks holder
Chinese Porcelain Planter, Flower Pot, Fish Bowl (A174)Chinese Porcelain Planter, Flower Pot, Fish Bowl (A174) Vintage Four Seasons Chinese Export VaseVintage Four Seasons Chinese Export Vase
Antique Cantonese Medallion Plates Lot 4Antique Cantonese Medallion Plates Lot 4 Interesting Chinese Belt BuckleInteresting Chinese Belt Buckle
Chinese Jade/Jadeite Baby Lock, Dragon Plaque, 19th C.Chinese Jade/Jadeite Baby Lock, Dragon Plaque, 19th C. .875x.875 inch antique Chinese button, cicada.875x.875 inch antique Chinese button, cicada $5.00
Vintage Antique Handmade Embroiderd Silk Chinese Sq'SVintage Antique Handmade Embroiderd Silk Chinese Sq'S China Incense Pot with Lid - 4 " High X 3 " DiameterChina Incense Pot with Lid - 4 " High X 3 " Diameter $8.50
.625x.625 inch antique Chinese button, butterfly.625x.625 inch antique Chinese button, butterfly $6.25 Pair of Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Phoenix BirdsPair of Antique Chinese Export Porcelain Phoenix Birds
1.25 inch antique Chinese medallion1.25 inch antique Chinese medallion $5.00 Rare China Copper Carved Phoenix Snuff BottleRare China Copper Carved Phoenix Snuff Bottle $26.00
Rare Chinese Carved 2 fish Snuff BottleRare Chinese Carved 2 fish Snuff Bottle Vintage Miniature Carved Jade HorseVintage Miniature Carved Jade Horse
three antique Chinese medallions, .75-1.125 inchesthree antique Chinese medallions, .75-1.125 inches $5.00 two-inch antique Chinese charmtwo-inch antique Chinese charm $5.00
Antique Chinese Yixing Red Ware Teapot Signed Base Antique Chinese Yixing Red Ware Teapot Signed Base .5x1.375 inch antique Chinese ornament, oracle.5x1.375 inch antique Chinese ornament, oracle $5.00
Signed Chinese Immortal Porcelain Figurine w StaffSigned Chinese Immortal Porcelain Figurine w Staff Cloisonne Bull on Copper -Bulls are very Rare ExcellentCloisonne Bull on Copper -Bulls are very Rare Excellent $445.00
Underglaze Blue & Iron Red Jar With Dragon & CloudUnderglaze Blue & Iron Red Jar With Dragon & Cloud Antique Chinese Embroidered Silk Framed Panel 18th C.Antique Chinese Embroidered Silk Framed Panel 18th C.
Antique Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Incense Burner (Pair)Antique Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Incense Burner (Pair) Chinese Brass Bowl With Jewels Stamped China Chinese Brass Bowl With Jewels Stamped China
Pot Theiere Pierre De Jade Tibet Pot Theiere Pierre De Jade Tibet Beautiful Antique Chinese Vase, Qing DynastyBeautiful Antique Chinese Vase, Qing Dynasty $299.99
A String Fine 19 th China Agate NecklacesA String Fine 19 th China Agate Necklaces Hand Carved Chinese Amethyst Quartz Necklace w PendantHand Carved Chinese Amethyst Quartz Necklace w Pendant
Rare China Rose Porcelain GuanYin Snuff BottleRare China Rose Porcelain GuanYin Snuff Bottle
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Prices current as of last update, 03/14/10 2:30pm.

See also...
Baskets, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Bowls, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Boxes, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Cabinets, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Chairs, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Chests, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Glasses, Cups, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Necklaces, Pendants, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Other Items, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Paintings, Scrolls, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Plates, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Pots, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Snuff Bottles, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Statues, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Tables, Chinese, Asian Antiques
Vases, Chinese, Asian Antiques

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