The International Student Office of Shanghai International Studies University partnered with the Quyang community to host a Shanghai dialect salon at the SISU Bookstore on July 22.

The salon aimed to immerse international students in China's regional dialect culture through engaging language learning, fostering cross-cultural communication, and mutual understanding.

A group of 23 students from countries including Russia, Bulgaria, Sudan, Egypt, Thailand, and South Korea participated in the salon. An instructor showed the dialect's unique charm through interactive games and situational dialogues, sparking deeper interest in Shanghai's regional culture.

To make learning accessible and fun, the instructor compared Mandarin, the Shanghai dialect, and English, introducing students to everyday phrases, polite expressions, and basic numbers in the local tongue.

Participants praised the activity as both enjoyable and enlightening. Many expressed a strong interest in attending similar activities in the future.

Students said the salon offered both linguistic insight and cultural depth.

Garold Aburov from Russia, a PhD student in international relations, said that the comparison of Mandarin, the Shanghai dialect, and English helped him appreciate the uniqueness of local speech. He added that learning the Shanghai dialect felt like entering a new linguistic realm, distinct from Mandarin yet with some similarities to Cantonese.

Alsidig Ibrahim Mohamed Omer from Sudan, a trainee in Arabic-Chinese interpretation, described the session as a meaningful cultural encounter. He said it highlighted how dialects reflect local identity and offer deeper understanding of society. Sharing the experience with peers from around the world, he added, broadened his understanding of China's cultural richness.

Source: Official WeChat account of SISU Office of International Student Affairs at "Study_in_SISU"