One of the most common languages alongside Cantonese and Min in South China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Hakka is also a somewhat common language that is spoken by the
Chinese community in
Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Being an off-spring with Sze Yap and Gan languages of the Chu state at which it was originated from the Yangtze River of South China, Hakka is a Miao-Yao language that was spoken by the Chu natives in its archaic form. Later, Hakka evolved to borrow a small percent of
Han (Mandarin) words, Cantonese words, and Min words, as well as being written in Chinese characters alongside Mandarin, Cantonese, Min, and Wu for speakers to socialize with each other more effectively. Regardless, Hakka is a distinctive
Asian language from other languages in China and most people outside of China (except for
Chinese nationalists) consider Miao-Yao not placed under the Sino-Tibetan family
tree.
In the 20th century, Hakka might have been suppressed by Chinese nationalists of the Kuomintang (ROC)
government out of favoritism for only Mandarin with a Beijing accent to thrive in
Taiwan. Blessed with charm that the Kuomintang (ROC) was declining in its power in the late 1980s, the DPP is trying to promote equality for Taiwanese people to speak Hakka alongside Min, Mandarin, and the Taiwanese aborigines languages whatever they wish. The progressive party, especially the current Hakka president of
Taiwan, rocks!
