Names and Terms
Use this glossary when a programme, article or catalogue gives a name in a different language. Each original-name field pairs Chinese characters with romanization and the English label used on this site. The Spanish version uses the same original names. Translations are editorial aids, not claims of official terminology.
Names to distinguish
Manhan Opera
Manhan Opera · 漫瀚剧 · Manhanju
The regional opera genre developed in Baotou. Use this name for the art form; identify a theatre organization separately. [1] Read the definition.
Er ren tai
er ren tai · 二人台 · Er rentai
A theatrical tradition with regional branches. It is a foundation of Manhan Opera and retains its own identity. [1] [2]
Manhan tune
Manhan folk song / tune · 漫瀚调 · Manhandiao
A separate folk-song tradition associated with Jungar Banner, classified as traditional music in the cited heritage record. [3] See the three-form comparison.
The Legend of Fengzhoutan
The Legend of Fengzhoutan · 丰州滩传奇 · Fengzhoutan chuanqi
A work title, not another name for the genre. The work profile gathers the relevant reports. [1]
Musical names in the sources
Kou diao and lou diao
Kou diao (tune label) · 口调 · kou diao
Lou diao (tune label) · 楼调 · lou diao
The 2019 report names these tunes. Retain the romanized labels when matching a source to a score; their names alone do not specify a metre or vocal technique. [1]
Sikuaiwa
Sikuaiwa (clapper percussion) · 四块瓦 · sikuaiwa
Clapper percussion discussed by Chen Yanting, who includes Manhan Opera among the forms using it. [4] The music and performance guide explains the scope of this evidence.
Describe the record precisely
These are practical distinctions used in this site's research notes:
Scroll the table horizontally to see every column.
| Term | What to identify in a citation |
|---|---|
| Work | The titled dramatic work; add its original title to avoid confusing translations. |
| Production | A particular staging or version; include the company and creative credits when verified. |
| Performance | A dated presentation at a venue; record the cast if available. |
| Excerpt | A selected passage or scene; a record of an excerpt does not document a complete performance. |
| Publication date | When a source appeared; keep it separate from the date of the event it describes. |
Search across languages
- Start with the original-name field when searching a Chinese catalogue. For a work, retain the complete title.
- Pair the name with a known author or date. A matching word alone is not enough to establish that two records concern the same entity.
- Preserve the spelling printed in a source when citing it. Use this glossary's English label in your own explanatory text, and note meaningful differences.
Do not translate Manhan tune as Manhan Opera. Do not silently replace an institution's name with the genre name. Send a terminology correction with a source showing the relevant wording.
Sources
- Tao Yuan. Guangming report on Manhan Opera, republished by China Daily. December 5, 2019; original names and tune labels.
- China Intangible Cultural Heritage: er ren tai, Hequ. Traditional theatre, IV-73, 2006 entry.
- China Intangible Cultural Heritage: Manhan tune. Traditional music, II-92, 2008 entry.
- Chen Yanting. An initial study of sikuai percussion. Renmin Yinyue, 2022, no. 10; institutional republication January 9, 2023. See the section on er ren tai.
Sources reviewed September 12, 2026. For annotated reading and bibliographic limitations, see learning resources.