Xiangcheng Church in Suzhou, Jiangsu province has launched the Suzhou Dialect training courses, with 23 students enrolled in the first session.
Rev. Wang Xiaoming of the church serves as the instructor in the class which started on September 18, said the church.
Suzhou dialect, known for its soft and melodious tones, is widely considered the representative of the Wu dialect. There was a time when the Suzhou dialect could be heard throughout the streets and alleys of the ancient city of Suzhou. However, in the 1980s, the Wu-speaking regions began to promote Mandarin, leading the younger generation to become proficient in Mandarin. As a result, some of the younger residents of Suzhou are now less fluent in the Suzhou dialect. While promoting Mandarin, the preservation of local dialects has become a growing concern in recent years.
The class aims to promote and popularize the dialect among its congregants, helping them inherit cultural heritage and serve the local community.
