Manchu language promoted in NE China

A 15-day series of training courses on the Manchu language opened on Jan 22 at the Third Middle School in Baishan, Jilin province.

The courses are opened to the public and 20 trainees from all parts of China, who will learn the Manchu alphabet and some words and the traditional culture of the Manchu people.

They will receive a certificate from the Manchu Language and Culture Center of Northeast Normal University when they complete the entire program.

A 15-day Manchu language training course opens on Jan 22 at the Third Middle School in Baishan, Jilin province. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Manchu language was the official language during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and today few people speak it as the dynasty ended more than a hundred years ago.

To inherit the language, the Third Middle School in Baishan recently opened the only Manchu training program in China.

Trainees can learn a great deal about the language itself as well as the Manchu people's history and culture including paper-cutting, making Chinese knots and ethical customs.

Trainees learn about the history of traditional Manchu paper-cutting during the training. [Photo/Xinhua]