Editing Manchu language (section)

==Current situation==
[[File:An Activity of Manchu Language by the Government and students in Changchun.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.36|"Banjin Inenggi" and Manchu linguistic activity by the government and students in [[Changchun]], 2011]]
Currently, several thousand people can speak Manchu as a second language through primary education or free classes for adults offered in China.<ref name="chinanews" /><ref name="ifeng" /> However very few native Manchu speakers remain. In what used to be [[Manchuria]] virtually no one speaks the language, the entire area having been completely [[Sinicization|sinicized]]. As of 2007, the last native speakers of the language were thought to be 18 [[octogenarian]] residents of the village of [[Sanjiazi]] ({{manchu|m={{ManchuSibeUnicode|lang=mnc|ᡳᠯᠠᠨ<br />ᠪᠣᡠ᠋}}|v=ilan boo|a=ilan bou}}), in [[Fuyu County, Heilongjiang|Fuyu County]], in [[Qiqihar]], [[Heilongjiang]] Province.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/18/world/asia/18manchu.html|title=Chinese Village Struggles to Save Dying Language|last=Lague|first=David|date=18 March 2007|work=The New York Times|access-date=8 August 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> A few speakers also remain in [[Dawujia]] village in [[Aihui District]] of [[Heihe]] Prefecture.

The [[Xibe people|Xibe]] (or Sibe) are often considered to be the modern custodians of the written Manchu language. The Xibe live in [[Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County]] near the [[Ili River|Ili]] valley in [[Xinjiang]], having been moved there by the [[Qianlong Emperor]] in 1764. Modern written Xibe is very close to Manchu, although there are slight differences in the writing system which reflect distinctive Xibe pronunciation. More significant differences exist in morphological and syntactic structure of the spoken Xibe language. For one example among many, there is a "[[converb]]" ending, -''mak'', that is very common in modern spoken Xibe but unknown in Manchu.

=== Revitalization movements ===
Since the 1980s, there have been increased efforts to revive the Manchu language. Revival movements are linked to the reconstruction of ethnic Manchu identity in the Han-dominated country. The Manchus mainly lead the revival efforts, with support from the [[China|PRC]] state, [[NGOs]] and international efforts.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|title=Identity reproducers beyond the grassroots: The middle class in the Manchu revival since 1980s|journal=Asian Ethnicity|volume=6}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|title=Facing the Decline of Minority Languages: The New Patterns of Education of Mongols and Manchus|journal=The Central European Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities}}</ref>

Revivalism began in the post-[[Mao Zedong|Mao]] era when non-Han ethnic expression was allowed. By the 1980s, Manchus had become the second largest [[Ethnic minorities in China|minority group in China]]. People began to reveal their ethnic identities that had been hidden due to 20th century unrests and the fall of the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

Language revival was one method the growing numbers of Manchus used in order to reconstruct their lost ethnic identity. Language represented them and set them apart from other minority groups in the "[[Ethnic minorities in China|plurality of ethnic cultures]] within one united culture". Another reason for revivalism lay in the archives of the Qing Empire–a way to translate and resolve historical conflicts between the Manchus and the state.<ref name=":0" /> Lastly, the people wanted to regain their language for the rituals and communication to their ancestors–many shamans do not understand the words they use.<ref name=":1" />

Manchu associations can be found across the country, including [[Hong Kong]], as well as [[Taiwan]], which is under the administration of the Republic of China. Consisting of mostly Manchus and Mongols, they act as the link between the people, their ethnic leaders and the state.<ref name=":0" />

NGOs provide large support through "Manchu classes". Manchu is now taught in certain primary schools as well as in universities.<ref name=":1" /> [[Heilongjiang University]] Manchu language research center in no.74, Xuefu Road, [[Harbin]], listed Manchu as an [[academic major]]. It is taught there as a tool for reading Qing-dynasty archival documents.<ref name=wsj>{{citation|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB125452110732160485
|date=5 October 2009|title=In China, the Forgotten Manchu Seek to Rekindle Their Glory
|periodical=The Wall Street Journal|author= Ian Johnson|access-date=5 October 2009}}</ref> In 2009 ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that the language is offered (as an elective) in one university, one public middle school, and a few private schools.<ref name=wsj/> There are also other Manchu volunteers in many places of China who freely teach Manchu in the desire to rescue the language.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mzb.com.cn/zgmzb/html/2011-07/29/content_78793.htm |title=China Nationality Newspaper: the Rescue of Manchu Language (simplified Chinese) |access-date=10 November 2012 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061247/http://www.mzb.com.cn/zgmzb/html/2011-07/29/content_78793.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://big5.ifeng.com/gate/big5/news.ifeng.com/gundong/detail_2011_12/12/11251077_0.shtml |title=iFeng: Jin Biao's 10-Year Dream of Manchu Language (traditional Chinese) |access-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125220202/http://big5.ifeng.com/gate/big5/news.ifeng.com/gundong/detail_2011_12/12/11251077_0.shtml |archive-date=25 January 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://i.syd.com.cn/content/2011-12/05/content_25882720.htm |title=Shenyang Daily: Young Man Teaches Manchu For Free To Rescue the Language (simplified Chinese) |access-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513190300/http://i.syd.com.cn/content/2011-12/05/content_25882720.htm |archive-date=13 May 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bjwb.bjd.com.cn/html/2012-03/03/node_17.htm|title=Beijing Evening News: the Worry of Manchu language (simplified Chinese)|date=13 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513105009/http://bjwb.bjd.com.cn/html/2012-03/03/node_17.htm|archive-date=13 May 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> Thousands of non-Manchu speakers have learned the language through these measures.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://liaoning.nen.com.cn/liaoning/178/3607178.shtml |title=Northeastern News: Don't let Manchu language and scripts become a sealed book (simplified Chinese) |access-date=10 November 2012 |archive-date=28 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228235225/http://liaoning.nen.com.cn/liaoning/178/3607178.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bjwb.bjd.com.cn/html/2012-03/03/content_55839.htm|title=Beijing Evening News: 1980s Generation's Rescue Plan of Manchu Language (simplified Chinese)|date=13 May 2013|website=bjwb.bjd.com.cn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513094153/http://bjwb.bjd.com.cn/html/2012-03/03/content_55839.htm|archive-date=13 May 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> Despite the efforts of NGOs, they tend to lack support from high-level government and politics.<ref name=":1" />

The state also runs programs to revive minority cultures and languages. [[Deng Xiaoping]] promoted bilingual education. However, many programs are not suited to the ethnic culture or to passing knowledge to the younger generations. If the programs were created via "top-down political processes" the locals tend to look at them with distrust. But if they were formed via specialized governmental organizations, they fare better. According to [[Katarzyna Golik]]:<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>In [[Mukden]], the historical Manchurian capital, there is a [[Shenyang Manchu Association]] ({{lang|zh|沈阳市满族联谊会}}) which is active in promoting Manchurian culture. The Association publishes books about Manchurian folklore and history and its activities are run independently from the local government. Among the various classes of the Manchurian language and calligraphy some turned out to be a success. Beijing has the biggest and most wealthy Beijing Daxing Regency Manchu Association ({{lang|zh-hans|北京大兴御苑满族联谊会}}). (pp100-101)</blockquote>Other support can be found internationally and on the [[Internet]]. Post-[[Cultural Revolution]] reform allowed for international studies to be done in China. The dying language and ethnic culture of Manchus gained attention, providing local support.<ref name=":0" /> Websites facilitate communication of language classes or articles.<ref name=":1" /> Younger generations also spread and promote their unique identity through popular Internet media.<ref name=":0" />

Despite the increased efforts to revive the Manchu language, there are many obstacles standing in the way. Even with increased awareness, many Manchus choose to give up their language, some opting to learn Mongolian instead. Manchu language is still thought of as a foreign language in a Han-dominated Chinese speaking country.<ref name=":1" /> Obstacles are also found when gaining recognition from the state. Resistance through censorship prevented the performing of [[Banjin festivals]], a festival in recognition of a new reconstructed Manchu identity, in Beijing.<ref name=":0" />