History & Culture

Yiwu Dialect

The Yiwu dialect is a small branch of the Wu Zhou division of the Wu Dialect in the south of Zhejiang Province. Since Yiwu is located in the middle of Zhejiang Province, it boasts convenient transportation and frequent communications with the other areas. Therefore, the Yiwu dialect has been strongly influenced by the dialects of surrounding areas, and has distinctive internal diversities. It is said that “if you cross a creek in Yiwu, you will hear a different dialect.” Take the word “jidan” (egg) for example, it is called [t] in Choucheng area, but [t qu 9d] in Longtouzhu, Shangteng, Kuzhutang, Xiaohuangtang and Gexian, showing the influence of the Jinhua dialect. Talking about the word “tanggeng” (sugarcane), it is called ugl in Choucheng, but [dokus] in Huaxi, Hezhai and Xiawan, showing the influence of the Dongyang dialect. Another example is the word “ban” (board), it is called [ma] in Choucheng, but [pa] in Dongtang, Dachen and Houshentang, showing the influence of the Zhuji dialect. According to the investigation, the locals in such areas near Zhuji as Hongfeng and Yanwo speak the Zhuji dialect, the locals in Hushan, Dachen, Huangshengtang can speak the Yiwu dialect and the Zhuji dialect, and the locals in such areas bordering Pujiang as Xianping, Liyushan and Dafang use the Yiwu dialect and the Pujiang dialect. In a word, such phenomenon is quiet usual in Yiwu’s areas bordering on the other counties.