Why did standard songs help Yuan drama reach audiences who spoke different dialects?

During the Yuan dynasty, the use of standard songs helped drama reach diverse audiences because these songs were designed for specific situations or emotions and could be utilized across various operas. By incorporating these recognizable musical elements, playwrights made it easier to communicate stories to mass audiences who spoke many different dialects.1

This approach, combined with the inclusion of popular forms of dancing and acrobatics, helped bridge linguistic gaps and increased the appeal of Chinese opera to the general public. These standard songs functioned within a broader dramatic framework that also utilized dialogue in language relatively close to the daily speech of the people, further enhancing accessibility for common viewers.12