[Travie]

CANTONESE RULES! (in HK at least)
there are so many dialects in china, that's why they created (mandarin) as "putonghua" = merely a "common dialect" and because it is 'merely' a common dialect for all, you will find chinese from different province speaks in different accent, which i find it very difficult to understand or communicate with. How bad is it? You might be able to recall when Deng Xio Ping speaks mandarin in public, there was always a 'translator' to help the media out.

[dessie]

Just my two cents worth...........

esque, if you are thinking of learning a language just to get by in HK, then you need Cantonese (My smattering of Mandarin is of very little use in HK-not even with the cabbie). But if it is for employment-related purposes, then it really helps if you know at least one or both.

That said, I must add that if I were a language student and I had to choose between Cantonese and Mandarin, I would definitely go for the latter. To me, Mandarin is a euphonious language while Cantonese sounds harsh and is not easy on the ears (just my observation - no offence to native speakers of cantonese).

[cerberus]

some interesting points, especially regarding the misconception that putonghua is now an official language in HK and that kids must learn it or the red guards will drag them down hennessy road to a pulp. much of it is paranoia, the rest part of the usual China hype as fed by certain sections of society and the media. of course, PTH in itself is a valid language and useful tool, in one way or another it has existed for over a thousand years. however, it is controversial since to all intents and purposes it represents a government-sanctioned lingo, is intimately associated with CCP/PRC policies, and overall smacks of yet more domineering cultural displacement.
for me it's simple: i came to HK for its local flavor and way of life. both cannot exist without the uniqueness of locally-spoken Cantonese and its co-existence with English. if that's endangered by PTH, i'm not a happy camper no more. the last thing i want to know is that so much of what's been making HK a good place is on the elimination list.
likewise, i wouldn't want to see Cantonese pulling the same trick on Beijing, for example, since BJ's brand of PTH is so integral to the culture and life there it could never be supplanted without causing a massive die-out of local culture.

HK people have every right to be concerned and stand for their culture, who wouldn't, particularly since what's over the border isn't exactly what you'd call liberal, open to fruitful interaction, or even consistently friendly. and although flat out resenting all mainlanders is just more racism, for every local who's like that you get visitors coming down here like they were the new colonials. ain't life grrreat?

[Raiqi]

I studied Mandarin while I lived in the mainland for 2 years and am now studying Cantonese. I am not sure which one is easier, but there is a much more consistant system for the romanisation of Mandarin (pin yin).

Cantonese is difficult but I am finding it very useful. The classes I take go slowly, slowly and th eteacher is very patient. You learn things that youcan use in everyday life so you can get some practice, and are taught grammar and structure as it appears so everything is in a context - which helps.

What I have found is that knowing the Mandarin that I do helps me to understand the Cantonese so neither of them is a wasted effort. I fully intend to study Mandarin again once I am happy with my Cantonese level.

Best of luck with whichever you choose, it is worth it...

[Vrindavan]

HK people are better put English as the next priority to Cantonese, not PTH

[Max]

Originally Posted by Carriechung

Yes..you are right,,
hygiene issue
and horrible products they made and sell in HK
e.g. They use hair to make soy sause!?unbelievable!

That is an unfair generalization!

Saying something like that is not only inappropriate but also bigoted and prejudicial!

You seem to forget that most of HK's fresh food produce comes from China. And I'm sure that most of the modern conveniences in your home have been made in China!

[Max]

Originally Posted by Vrindavan

HK people are better put English as the next priority to Cantonese, not PTH

not according to what the local government is trying to promote....

English may be important, but have you ever heard of locals actively taking an interest to learn English? I, for one, think that professionals in China realise the importance of learning English more than the locals in HK do.

[Vrindavan]

>>what the local government is trying to promote


see what their kids are doing !


>> English may be important


Not important to those people who actively ignore anything English,
including this site

[Max]

I'm not sure about what you've heard Vrindavan, but my experiences as an English teacher tell me otherwise...

I've come across many students who do much better in Cantonese and Putonghua than English. The adults are not much better off, either.
It's a sad trend, but the real truth is that HK is regressing in terms of English proliferation.

[ali2u]

Couple of people said Cantonese is useless once you cross the border.

That is not true. Cantonese originates from Guangzhou (not Hong Kong) and is the main language there as well as much of Guangdong province. Oh yes, and Macau too.

And you'll find it used in lots of China towns around the globe