[powellam]

Will be moving to Hong Kong soon with two daughters and wife and we'd like to take some language lessons (both for family fun and for basic survival). I've read that Cantonese is more spoken but that Mandarin is growing in popularity in HK.

Although we may live in Hong Kong for 2-4 years, would expect that Mandarin may be more important for our daughters in the future.

Has anyone else faced a similar decision?

[wtbhotia]

I would recommend to learn Mandarin, easier to learn with only 4 tones wheres as Cantonese has 9 tones. Cantonese is the main language in HK but most people speak/understand Mandarin as its taught in local schools now and plus everyday more Mainlanders are coming to hk for hoilday, also Mandarin is one of the most spoken language in the world (I think), Also since China is a major player in the market where most of the worlds basic goods do come from there, sooner or later everyone will have to do business with them so I would recommend Mandarin.

[lowlight]

Mandarin would be important for you and your families if you ever plan to move to China.

I hate all this "oh it's so important to learn Mandarin". People act like the world will be taken over by China soon, and that "everyone" will "have to do business with them".

Maybe it's just me, but if I am living in another country for years, I will want to learn THEIR language, not some unrelated one.

[imparanoic]

well, depends, a lot of people in hk have very limited mandarin capability within hong kong, plus the factor that hong kong'ers never use mandarin on a daily basis unless they are communicating with a mainlander/taiwanese. etc..

English ( spoken by a hong kong'er) is used more than mandarin.

cantonese is standard language here, depends if you ( and ur family )planning to live in the mainland some day

[smelly]

If you never plan to live in China then learn Cantonese.

You wouldn't go to France to learn Italian.

[imparanoic]

ps. you only need to know english for basic survival in hk

[lowlight]

Originally Posted by imparanoic

ps. you only need to know english for basic survival in hk

Only if you stick to the 'expat zones'

[imparanoic]

Only if you stick to the 'expat zones'

that's what i mean, but hk is not bad as japan or korea.

[TOboy818]

Originally Posted by powellam

Will be moving to Hong Kong soon with two daughters and wife and we'd like to take some language lessons (both for family fun and for basic survival). I've read that Cantonese is more spoken but that Mandarin is growing in popularity in HK.

Although we may live in Hong Kong for 2-4 years, would expect that Mandarin may be more important for our daughters in the future.

Has anyone else faced a similar decision?

You're really asking two questions: What language do you need for survival and fun in HK? And what language will give your daughters an advantage over their peers in the future?

The answer to the first one is Cantonese - despite being part of China now for 10+ years most HK people speaks only rudimentary Mandarin - honestly you'd have an easier time getting by with English.

The answer to your second question is Mandarin - China's growing influence says all. That's something you can looking into like enrolling your daughters in HK schools that offers Mandarin lessons.

[lowlight]

China's growing influence in what? To poison babies?