China's language policy was certainly formulated for Tibet in light of the conditions, and also by reference of the experiences of other countries.
The PRC Constitutions stipulated the freedom allowed the various ethnic groups to use and develop their own languages.Related laws with stipulations concerning ethnic minority languages include the PRC Law on National Regional autonomy, the PRC Organic Law on Courts, the PRC Law on Legal Suits, the PRC Law on Election of Deputies to the National People¡¯s Congress and Local People¡¯s Congress, the PRC Organic Law on the National People¡¯s Congress, the PRC Regulations on ID Cards for Citizens, and the PRC Law on Compulsory Education. They guaranteed the freedoms enjoyed by various ethnic minorities to use and develop their own languages. And they form the basis of the Chinese Government¡¯s policies on ethnic minority languages.
Before the 1980s, China's policy featured efforts to use and develop the various languages. After the 1980s, however, these policies underwent a major change to bilingualism.
With the changing situation after the 1980s, China issued more policies on bilingualism. These include the PRC Law on National Regional Autonomy promulgated in 1984. It encourages cadres of vacuous ethnic groups to study a second language, and study Han Chinese while using their own language. Tibet, Xinjiang, Yanbian, Liangshan Yi and Garze Tibetan Prefectures all worked out their own rules in response.
In 1991, the State Civil Affairs Commission sent a report to the State Council on matters concerning ethnic minority languages. It later replied, explaining the related policies and tasks: Guaranteeing the ethnic minorities right to use and develop their own languages; pressing ahead with the language work of various ethnic groups in stimulating local political, economic and cultural undertakings.
The task is to standardize ethnic minority languages; translate and publish more works and promote academic research in them; and encourage people of various ethnic groups to study a second language
