Publisher: JIANG Xiaodan | People's Daily

Date: March 28, 2025

Recently, Professor Zhan Bohui from the Chinese Department at Jinan University shared insights into his remarkable career during an interview with People's Daily. A distinguished linguist, Zhan has devoted his life to the study of dialects, combining rigorous research with a passion for cultivating talent among the next generation of scholars.

(Zhan Bohui)

A Lifetime of Linguistic Passion

Born in 1931 in Chaozhou, Guangdong, Zhan Bohui is a renowned figure in the field of linguistics, having served as the former dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Jinan University and as the honorary director of the Chinese Dialect Research Center. He has authored significant works, including Chinese Dialects and Dialects Survey and Overview of Guangdong Cantonese Dialects, and has played a central role in the compilation of the Dictionary of Chinese Dialects, a monumental resource in the history of Chinese dialectology.

(Zhan Bohui)

The first meeting with Professor Zhan was held in his modest office at Jinan University, where at 94 years old, he engaged in meticulous revisions to an article. His clarity of thought and passion for linguistics remain evident, reflecting a lifelong commitment to the field as one of the first linguistic researchers trained after the establishment of the People's Republic of China.

Fieldwork: The Heart of Dialect Research

Zhan emphasizes the importance of field investigations in dialect research, stating, “We can’t just sit and talk.” His early exposure to bilingualism and classical literature at home fueled his interest in language. After graduating from the Department of Linguistics at Sun Yat-sen University in 1953, he began his work at Wuhan University, where he published Overview of Military Dialect Pronunciation in Hainan Island in 1959. This work examined the phonetic features preserved by residents in Yacheng Town, earning him recognition in the academic community.

Relentlessly prioritizing hands-on research, Zhan often led students into rural areas to engage directly with local dialect speakers. His teaching not only built the framework for southern linguistics but also fostered a spirit of camaraderie and enthusiasm among students, as recounted by his former student Gan Yuen.

Pioneering a Comprehensive Dialect Dictionary

Zhan Bohui’s vision for a large-scale, encyclopedic dialect dictionary culminated in 2013 when he spearheaded a major project titled Theoretical Research and Digital Construction of Large-scale Dictionary Compilation of Chinese Dialects. This initiative aimed to record decades of research and was marked by the completion of a 4.65 – million - word dialect dictionary after four years of collaboration among over a hundred contributors.

(Selected Publications by Zhan Bohui)

“This dictionary is the first of its kind in Chinese history, and its complexity goes beyond that of a general dialect dictionary,” Zhan explained, highlighting the meticulous planning involved in its compilation.

(Zhan Bohui is compiling the Great Dictionary of Chinese Dialectology.)

A Lasting Impact on the Field of Linguistics

Over his long and illustrious career, Zhan has significantly advanced dialect research and nurtured numerous scholars. He founded China’s first comprehensive dialect research institution at Jinan University in 1984 and has been instrumental in training future researchers, including the first five doctoral graduates in Chinese dialectology from the university.

(Zhan Bohui took a group photo with the first batch of doctoral students.)

Despite his advancing age, Zhan continues to contribute to the field. In 2020, he established the Jinan University Zhan Bohui Linguistics Award, using his personal savings to fund it and encourage outstanding research in Chinese language and dialect studies.

(Zhan Bohui)

Zhan Bohui embodies the dedication and pioneering spirit of the 90s generation from Jinan University. As Lingnan continues to be a treasure trove of dialects, he emphasizes the need to unearth and study many dialects that remain undiscovered.