Mandarin, Guoyu or Putonghua? "Chinese" is a language known by many names, and China is a country home to many languages. Since the turn of the century linguists and politicians have been on a mission to create a common language for China. From the radical intellectuals of the May Fourth Movement, to leaders such as Chiang Kai-shek, and Mao Zedong, all fought to push the boundaries of language reform. Now, internet users take the Chinese language in new and unpredictable directions. David Moser tells the remarkable story of China's language unification agenda and its controversial relationship with modern politics, challenging our ideas of what it means to speak Chinese

David Moser is currently (as of 2015) Academic Director at CET China Studies at Beijing Capital Normal University, an overseas study program for U.S. college students, where he teaches courses in Chinese history and politics. Moser also worked at China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing as a program advisor, translator, and host, and continues to be active in Chinese media as a commentator in both Chinese and English on news shows such as CCTV Dialogue and China Radio International's current affairs show Today in Beijing.

Please note that this is a book discussion, not a book talk; the author will not be present.

Entrance: Free for RAS Members | 50RMB for Non-members

RSVP: bookevents@royalasiaticsociety.org

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Garden Books

长乐路325号，近陕西南路

325 Changle Rd, near Shaanxi South Rd