Vernacular narratives made in China

Abstract

This paper explores the Chinese vernacular narratives as independent stories that are found on the Internet create a different "reality" in the censored media environment. Vernacular narratives such as urban legends, rumours, gossips and conspiracy theories belong to vernacular culture, which is understood as the non-professional, non-institutional, informal, spontaneous and amateur culture. They provide a window to understanding the concerns and fears of the modern society, in this case Chinese society.