"the use of a standard language is undeniably helpful in educating the poorest and helping them engage with broader development trends in the country and across

"the use of a standard language is undeniably helpful in educating the poorest and helping them engage with broader development trends in the country and across the world." This is what the powerful say every time they're trying to forcibly strip a community of its language and culture. But is it even remotely true? The major varieties of Chinese have as many speakers as major European nations. Is it really to be believed that local varieties of Chinese or minority languages can have no recognition in school?