A. regions B. conformity C. trick D. hostility E. compulsory F. dialects G. discriminate H. tongue I. resident J. dominant K. fragmentation L. intimidate M. diverse N. expertise O. outweigh P. belittled Q. linguistically R. proficiency S. enterprise T. Contrary to U. primary V. expounds W. sector Dear editor, 1_______ what Mr Su (China Daily, Nov. 8) 2 ________ , the 3 ________ use of putonghua should be increased, particularly in the educational 4 ________ (beginning at the 5 ________ level), and throughout all 6 ________ of China. To begin with, it cannot be denied that China will have a more 7 ________ international trade position in the near future. We cannot expect foreign investors to learn and acquire 8 ________ in regional 9 ________ . Having one national language, in which 10 ________ is acquired at an early age, will greatly benefit our interests in providing a 11 ________ friendly environment (traditionally a huge barrier to foreign investment) for future global cooperation and 12 ________ . Secondly, a common language can help to decrease misunderstanding and 13 ________ in the large and 14 ________ population of the country. As a Guangdong 15 ________ , I often hear Cantonese being spoken to those who are from other provinces in an attempt to 16 ________ or 17 ________ the newcomer. This creates, as it has for many years, a feeling of general 18 ________ , both on the part of Cantonese to those “northerners” who have not learned their beautiful language, and the “northerners” who feel pressured and 19 ________ by the locals. This situation occurs wherever there is a strong dialect. The effect of encouraging dialects over a national language is a dangerous kind of regionalism. When we all speak the same 20 ________ , we feel equal and we feel we all belong to the nation as a whole; we are less likely to 21 ________ against one’s dialect, and can share all of our unique cultures. Lastly, I do not agree that the compulsory use of putonghua in education means the “outphasing” and “death” of dialects. To prove my point that dialects survive I offer an example (though there are many). In France, a country with a thousand years of centralized language planning and forced 22 ________ , there remain many dialects, the most common of which, Provençal, though not allowed to be used in the schools, still produces its own literature. Although it is possible that some Chinese dialects will suffer, it is true that the major groups will survive. The advantages clearly 23 ________ the disadvantages. Guangzhou, Guangdong