Government officials and scholars discuss the new book about the Rugao dialect at a release conference held in Rugao on Oct 13. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

A release conference for a new book about the Rugao dialect was held in Rugao, a county-level city in Nantong, East China’s Jiangsu province, on Oct 13.

The book discusses the origin and distribution of the Rugao dialect and was researched by a team led by Wan Jiufu, a professor at Nantong University – a process which took 10 years.

The Rugao dialect is one of four branches of the Nantong dialect and at least three million people currently speak the language, according to Wan. 

Since 2009, Wan’s team has conducted research on 211 pronunciations, words, and grammar patterns in 83 towns and districts throughout Nantong, collected materials by recording sounds and videos, and referenced more than 260 documents.

“The book is an outstanding look into traditional Rugao culture in the new era,” said Gao Feng, director of the city’s publicity department, at the release conference.

“It will play a key role in protecting the Rugao dialect and promoting the cultural development of the city,” he added.