Job Discussion Forums

Marcoregano · Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 872 Location: Hong Kong

I teach English to adults...so we 'converse' in English. Admittedly, conversation in a classroom is limited and their level of English also restricts things somewhat. Still, I'm often amazed at the limitations of their interests and activities and their lack of general knowledge.

What surprises me - demoralises me even - is the lack of reading. For example, a friend of mine, a NET, was once going on holiday to Thailand or wherever and mentioned to her colleagues that she was taking a bunch of novels to read. Her colleagues where utterly astounded: "What, you take books to read on holiday???!!!" Whenever I tell my students that reading is one of my favourite hobbies they always react with amazement. Their hobbies? Always sleeping, mahjong and money.

Marco I agree that many Brits are equally dull, but there is at least a sizeable proportion of the population that travels and reads and is 'active' in some way or other, but it does seem to me in HK that this is only a very small percentage of people. However, they are very hard working. Most Brits are slobs by comparison, me included.

Mark-O · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:19 am Post subject:

jenny-pnet · Joined: 16 Apr 2003 Posts: 59

I just came across this website for both Cantonese and Mandarin. For someone who is a complete beginner (i.e. me) it looks like a good starting point. And it has been very recently updated. What do you think?
http://www.chinawestexchange.com

lanalechat · Joined: 11 Mar 2004 Posts: 3 Location: USA

The writer Paul Theroux, in his book Kowloon, likened the sound of Cantonese to that of a lawnmower, and the sound of Mandarin that of a xylophone (or something like it). I'm Cantonese myself, and I couldn't more. These dialects are not beautiful sounding like French. While I do agree that you should learn some basic phrases of the local language, Cantonese is nevertheless one of the most difficult languages to learn. However, grammar is literally nonexistant in Chinese dialects, so if you're good at intonations and you're willing to work hard, you might give a try. Hope this helps![/i]

Joachim · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 311 Location: Brighton, UK

I totally agree that I wouldn't want to be a stereotypcal HK expat who never learns anything other than "Mai Dan" or "M-Goy", but then I also see that it's a huge effort and I'm lazy too. And I don't anticipate being here after Summer '05.

Marcoregano, I am also astounded that people don't read here. It's similar all over Asia. When I went to Bali over xmas I forced my Chinese friends into Page One with me to get something to read by the pool, every one of them bought a book connected to commerce or how to get rich quick.

I would say the main conversation topics among HK Chinese are money, mahjong, soaps, karaoke, bitching about mainlanders, complaining about parents (who they still live with at 30) and boasting/comparing their latest toys (mobiles, palm pilots, laptops, jewellery, sunglasses etc)

Mark-O · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 6:31 am Post subject:

Joachim,

How do you know this is true if you can't speak the local dialect? Like Marcoregano said, speaking english with many Hong Kong chinese can often be somewhat limited in scope due to vocabulary/language barriers. Is it not possible that they limit their conversations to the aforementioned topics to stay on 'safe' language ground when with gwei lo?

Joachim · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 311 Location: Brighton, UK

Mark-O,

I doubt it. Not the people I know anyway!, and there are usually a few who will glue themselves to my side for the express purpose of translating everything for me. Sometimes I wish I was totally clueless, I think I would imagine better conversations that actually take place.

Another popular one is "ways to discipline the maid"

Mark-O · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 9:50 am Post subject:

Fair enough. Just thought I'd ask.

I think there are distinct benefits of being oblivious to what is being said around you sometimes - I used to revel in it whilst travelling. Not being able to comprehend the day-to-day mindless gossip and trivia that spews out of peoples' mouthes is a blessing. I wish I could do that home here!

Juan Alias · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 25

I'm not usually too shabby at languages (my Japanese after a year there, with no study is good enough to hold a basic conversation, my Spanish is good enough to get me beaten up on trains etc) but Cantonese has not clicked for me at all. I have not put in a great deal of work, being a lazy sod also, but after 18 months very little is sticking.
The reason I won't learn it is that it seems to be very difficult to learn, I don't need it in my day to day life (even out in Yuen Long) and mostly because I would not want to let those noises come out of my mouth. Forty minutes of Cantonoise through the PA and my brain starts to liquefy. Even scarier, I truly believe that if I were able to understand it, it would only take 20 minutes before my grey cells exiting via my ears.

Doyle · Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Posts: 14

Anyone find any podcasts for learning Cantonese?

lambada · Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 50

My sister lived here for 25 years and speaks Cantonese to quite a high standard (along with 9 other languages). Ironically, after she retired, only her non Cantonese ie Mandarin speaking friends bothered to stay in touch. Initially she was quite upset. I have a friend who has lived here all his life, including school, and is fluent in Cantonese - Native or near native speaker. The local reaction is amazing. We have so many great laughs in Shenzhen and the NT. It's like one long party!

buddhaboyjp · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 75 Location: Dai Po, Tai Wo

I've heard that your 3rd langauge is easier than your 2nd, mine being Japanese......so....that being the case, I will approach this first an the Self Taught method. Cheaper this way. Lots of good books at the library, but don't bother going there now, because I HAVE THEM ALL UNTIL JUNE!!
Buahahahahahahahaha!

Anyways, my wife is HK native and the in-laws only speak Cantonese, so I have no choice but to learn it.

Think of it as a new adventure and something else to add to the lie sheet (resume).

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home

What about Mandarin? I'm no expert, but I've learned a bit and noticed MTR announcements were made in Mandarin as well as English.

It's just that I might be working in HK soon and will still continue learning Mandarin. But would I be able to practice it at all in HK?

Doyle · Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Posts: 14

Has anyone taken a Cantonese class that they care to comment on? I'm looking for one and would like to hear some suggestions.