Although the 1981 Chinese constitution (Article 4) gives every minority nationality the right to maintain and develop its language and culture, the reality is that the leadership of many nationalities has chosen not to use their language for most public purposes, or to use it only in limited symbolic ways. According to the constitution (Article 119), local authorities have control over education, culture, health and sport in their autonomous regions, prefectures, and counties. At times, local au…