MLM Data Tool / Language profiles in Manchester / Chinese

Language profiles in Manchester

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Chinese

Language Chinese
Language name transliterated zhōngwén

 
Language name original script 中文
Distribution China, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau
Estimated number of speakers worldwide 1.2 billion (total)
Language classification Sino-Tibetan; Sinitic;
Distinctive features in sounds Retroflex sounds (moving the tongue towards the back of the hard palate) and palatal sibilants (air is pushed through a part closure whilst the body of the tongue is raised against the hard palate); tones
Distinctive features in grammar No grammatical inflection on words
Writing system Chinese ideographic script
Status Mandarin (Putonghua) is official language
Number of persons identifying as “main language” in England & Wales (Census 2011) 207,481
Number of persons identifying as “main language” in Greater Manchester (Census 2011) 14,431
Number of persons identifying as “main language” in City of Manchester (Census (Census 2011) 8,468
Number of persons identifying as “main language” in Greater Manchester as percentage of total in England & Wales (Census 2011) 7%
Number of persons identifying as “main language” in City of Manchester as percentage of total in England & Wales (Census 2011) 4%
Proficiency in English, self-reported, in City of Manchester (Census 2011)* Can speak English very well (18%), Can speak English well (52%), Cannot speak English well (24%), Cannot speak English (6%)
Distribution in City of Manchester (Census 2011) City Centre (1737), Ardwick (1171), Hulme (969), Bradford (527), Cheetham (383)
Distribution in Greater Manchester (Census 2011) Salford (1,424), Trafford (946), Stockport (745)
First language of pupils in Manchester schools (2015) 482
Distribution in City of Manchester schools (2015) Lily Lane Primary School (33), The East Manchester Academy (24), Park View Community (19), St Peters RC High School (19)
Total interpreter requests in Manchester’s GP practices 2,099
Library loans (2012/2013) 13,409
Library acquisitions (2012/2013) 883
M-4 interpreter requests (2012/2013) 621
Dialects of the language used in Manchester Hakka, Cantonese, Mandarin
Supplementary schools Huaxia Chinese School, Manchester Chinese Centre, Wai Yin Chinese Society

*Percentages rounded to nearest whole number