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Taishanese has been in San Francisco since the 1860s. Now, there’s a class for it.
By Yujie Zhou at Mission Local (SF neighborhood/civic news)
· July 8, 2026
· 1 min read
Taishanese has been a dominant language here since the Gold Rush. Now, you can learn it at City College.
Taishanese has been in San Francisco since the 1860s. Now, there’s a class for it.
Key takeaway Taishanese has been in San Francisco since the 1860s.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The introduction of a Taishanese class at City College marks a significant step in preserving the cultural heritage of San Francisco's Chinese community. As one of the oldest continuously spoken Chinese dialects in the city, Taishanese has played a vital role in shaping the identity of San Francisco's Chinatown. The fact that it has been a dominant language in the area since the Gold Rush era underscores the deep roots of the Chinese community in the city. By offering a class in Taishanese, City College is providing an opportunity for residents to connect with their cultural past and for younger generations to learn about their heritage. This move also reflects the city's ongoing efforts to promote linguistic diversity and cultural preservation, recognizing the value of minority languages in enriching the city's cultural landscape.
About this story
Original reporting by Mission Local (SF neighborhood/civic news) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Mission Local (SF neighborhood/civic news) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: Mission Local (SF neighborhood/civic news) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Taishanese has been a dominant language here since the Gold Rush. Now, you can learn it at City College.
Taishanese has been in San Francisco since the 1860s. Now, there’s a class for it.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by Mission Local (SF neighborhood/civic news) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Yujie Zhou at Mission Local (SF neighborhood/civic news). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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