Lost in translation: Dialect distance, social assimilation and immigrant crimes in China

Abstract

This study offers a novel perspective on migrant crime by focusing on internal migration within China, distinguishing it from the predominant literature that examines international migration. Using a large dataset of over 6 million criminal convictions during 2000–2020, we document the significantly positive link between the cultural barrier proxied by dialectal distances and the criminal behaviors among immigrants under the dyadic specification. This effect is particularly pronounced among migrants with lower educational attainment and male migrants. We employ a series of robustness checks and instrumental variable estimations, confirming the causality. Furthermore, we identify the underlying mechanism, showing that the impact of dialectal distance on crime is driven primarily by challenges in social assimilation and a weak sense of local identity, rather than factors such as immigrant population size or dialect communication barriers. These findings highlight the crucial role of fostering an inclusive pro-immigrant culture and supportive policies to reduce crime. Our study emphasizes the need to address cultural barriers and enhance social integration to mitigate criminal behavior among immigrant workers in China.