Old National Pronunciation

English

Etymology

Calque of Chinese 老國音／老国音 (Lǎoguóyīn), from 老 (lǎo, “old; venerable”, honorific) + 國音／国音 (guóyīn, “national pronunciation”). The term old does not refer to it being a historical standard, but was instead used contemporaneously as a way to promote the standard's legitimacy.

Proper noun

Old National Pronunciation or the Old National Pronunciation

1. (historical) The national standard for the pronunciation of Mandarin Chinese as used by the Republic of China from 1913 to 1932.