1 Introduction

Introduced the concept and importance of key languages, and pointed out that research on key languages is crucial for national security and development. The article reviews the research on key languages by scholars both domestically and internationally, including key foreign languages, key language programs, and key cross-border languages. The author proposes that the key language system includes endogenous, exogenous, and dual source key languages. It should be noted that key dialects are relatively rare in the study of key language systems in China. This article aims to explore the definition, characteristics, functions, and relationship with dialects of key dialects, and propose selection criteria for key dialects. Taking Meizhou Hakka dialect in Guangdong Province as an example, this study investigates the current usage status of key dialects, analyzes their usage characteristics and inheritance challenges in different language domains, and proposes policy recommendations.

Basic Concepts of Two Key Dialects

Dialects are the sub standard form of language. Although they have a lower status compared to the standard form, they possess local cultural characteristics, communicative functions, and group cohesion. Dialects and standard forms interact and coexist with each other, and dialects are tributaries of language, enriching the river of language. Key dialects have a significant impact on the language, culture, political economy, information and intelligence of a country or region. When selecting key dialects, factors such as usage area, population, geopolitics, economic development, language and culture, information security, and overseas influence should be considered. Hakka dialect, as a key dialect of China, is widely distributed in multiple provinces and overseas, with rich cultural and historical resources. It has an influence on the standard Chinese language and can be used as a strategic language at critical moments. To study key dialects, it is necessary to clarify basic concepts, selection criteria, and development strategies. This article explores the survival characteristics and maintenance strategies of key dialects in China through a case study of Hakka dialect.

Survey Design on the Current Status of Hakka Language Use

This chapter introduces the survey design of the current usage status of Hakka language, including theoretical framework, geographical objects, survey content and methods. The theoretical framework is based on Spowski's "Ten Language Domains" theory, which divides the social language domain into ten domains: family, public, school, work, judicial and medical care, religion, military, language activist groups, government, and international organizations, as well as the distinction between high and low language domains. The geographical object of the survey is Meizhou, Guangdong, as it is a representative area of Hakka dialect. The survey focuses on three aspects: language ideology, language management, and language practice, aiming to understand the linguistic vitality of Hakka in common language domains.

Survey results on the current use of Hakka language

In the family domain, Hakka language has a relatively low status in terms of language ideology and language management, but its actual frequency of use is high, indicating a disconnect between ideals and reality. The natural intergenerational inheritance of Hakka language in families is showing a downward trend, and the proportion of young people proficient in using Hakka language is gradually decreasing. In public areas, the use of Hakka language is related to the nature of the place and the characteristics of the population. Places with a high degree of localization and a large number of middle-aged and elderly people have a higher usage rate, while places with a large number of young people and outsiders have a lower usage rate. In the school domain, Hakka language is rarely used as an educational content, mainly promoted through school-based curriculum or extracurricular activities, but students have limited opportunities to learn Hakka language in school. In the workplace, different types of units have different usage and management of Hakka language. High end industrial units tend to use Mandarin, while labor-intensive industrial units more commonly use Hakka language. Local employees generally use Hakka dialect, while out of town employees often learn it after a few years. Hakka language is mostly used for informal communication, while Mandarin is mainly used for formal communication and written language.

Analysis and Discussion on the Current Status of Hakka Language Usage

The usage of Hakka language varies in different language domains, with the most frequent use in the family domain, followed by the public domain and work domain, and the least use in the school domain. The family is an ideal place for the inheritance of key dialects, but due to population mobility and the expansion of the family language database, the phenomenon of using key dialects in the family domain is decreasing. The public and work domains play an auxiliary role in maintaining and using Hakka language. The contribution of the school domain to the inheritance and use of Hakka dialect is limited, but students' understanding of key dialects can be improved through research and promotion. The language ideology of Hakka is relatively weak and the language practice is rich, but in the long run, it may face maintenance challenges. To develop key dialects, it is necessary to recognize their uniqueness and necessity, strengthen management, enhance value, and strengthen public language beliefs.

Conclusion: Suggestions on the Development of Key Dialects in China

Based on the survey results on the usage of Hakka dialect, three suggestions were proposed to promote the development of key dialects. Firstly, it is recommended to attach importance to the reputation building of key dialects in the context of globalization, and guide people to establish a positive dialect ideology. Secondly, it is recommended to handle the relationship between key dialects and Mandarin and foreign languages correctly, formulate a "multilingual" policy, and improve citizens' language proficiency. Finally, it is recommended to fully utilize the advantages of language domains such as family, public, work, and school to form a three-dimensional language environment, providing space for the maintenance and development of key dialects.