Language, as a very important medium in social activities, is always been paying a great
attention by human beings. While “language is for most ethnic groups one of the most important
cultural core values.” “Lack of linguistic rights often prevents a group from achieving
educational, economic and political equality with other groups” (Skutnabb-Kangas & Philiopson
1995:7) Linguistic right has been widely considered as one of the most significant human rights
for human society. As a basic human right, it is also considered as the one of the most important
identities for every ethnicity, nation and person in human society.
As a major ethnicity in China, Tibetan and its culture have been regarded as one of the
most prosperous civilisations through the whole Asian historical time. Its traditional culture and
linguistic system closely related with the Tibetan society and the neighbouring ethnicities in
China as well. Moreover, Tibetan language has also been the foundation of Tibetan religion,
politics and economic development nowadays. It is worthwhile taking efforts to research and
study.
The fieldwork has processed in both Lhasa city in Tibet Autonomous Region and Lanzhou
city in Gansu Province.
In particular, the thesis discusses the current situation of linguistic rights in different
social domains in different cities with different characteristics in multi-ethnic regions in western
China.
The conclusion demonstrates the respect for the linguistic rights of Tibetan people is the
basic method of protecting Tibetan language and culture; it is also the foundation for respecting
linguistic human rights. The violation of linguistic rights of Tibetan people still exists
The analysis suggests paying more attention and giving a higher level of priority could be
the most efficient ways of developing Tibetan culture and also the key methods for the protection
of Tibetan linguistic human rights.
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