Introduction

Abstract

This chapter relates the author’s motivation for undertaking the current study. A succinct description of Southern Min as a whole is presented, comparing consonants, vowels, and tones in a number of dialects such as Amoy, Taiwanese, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, and Teochew. Some characteristics of Southern Min are pointed out, with special reference to lexical borrowing in the variety spoken in Southeast Asia. A five-level scale for language functionality is then proposed, distinguishing vernacular language, lingua franca, ethnic language, inner language, and private language. A direct approach to collecting two types of sociolinguistic data is explained: one based on personal experiences of the author, and the other on communicative events, with the investigator taking the role of participant speaking Southern Min with people in Singapore, Taiwan, and southern Fujian. Limitations of this study are noted, and then an outline of the book is provided.