Quick question about the language

[INXS]

I had a car once that had PK as the first two letters of the number plate.....if you're a teacher, don't get a car with PK as the first two letters of the number plate.

End of Cantonese lesson 1.

[Trebor]

Menus in HK are standard for common dishes in local restaurants. Your friend could tell you what these dishes are in English.
Recognise the characters and you are on your way!
Btw, relieved is the word for Leeds winning last night... but worried if they continue playing this way.

When are you going to join us for a televised game in Trafalgar?

Just seen the goals, nice finish from Poleon.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15...?search_algo=2

[Gatts]

There is no way that any foreigners coming to HK will be able to learn Cantonese from scratch. Having a grasps of the basics is all that is needed. I say this in due respect that Cantonese is something that needs to be instilled from birth in order to get the proper tones. Unlike English, cantonese words cannot bw pronounced with different accents.
Take for example gau. Phonetically speaking coukd mean dog, but in another tone could mean 9 or even mean your dick.
After a certain age, people develop their own accents and parts of their throats become solid and hence our accents stays with us.i
To say learn cantonese like a local is near impossible.

Simply not true as there are many examples of adults having learned proper and very understandable Cantonese:


I myself started learning in my middle twenties, and can speak and read Canto quite well (if I may say so). While some people may pick up on some odd accents or phrasings here and there, that's actually no different to the english of HK local who studied in the US for some time for instance. It's all about language immersion, and the motivation to learn a particular language.

[HKITperson]

Simply not true as there are many examples of adults having learned proper and very understandable Cantonese:


I myself started learning in my middle twenties, and can speak and read Canto quite well (if I may say so). While some people may pick up on some odd accents or phrasings here and there, that's actually no different to the english of HK local who studied in the US for some time for instance. It's all about language immersion, and the motivation to learn a particular language.

Then that's good. Well done! But then you also have a Chinese wife which does make it easier than someone who has nothing to start from. As stated, I am not saying it can't be done but simply as you say have motivation and time. With most expats its not a lack of will but also finding the time and environment.

[Watercooler]

Not a surprise to many who have been here but for those newly introduced to our local boiler, this is a demonstration in his logic:

In this thread he is getting all uppidy about how important Cantonese is, learn the local language, embrace etc etc..


And not too long ago, he was telling everyone, dont send your kids to Cantonese schools, its too hard and you wont need it anyway. Send your kids to English only schools :
http://hongkong.geoexpat.com/forum/7...ml#post1971677


And the coolest part is yet to come : he will start foaming at the mouth and insult everyone in sight all the while claiming that he didnt mean it that way

I'll go back to my popcorn now.

Yes, why don't you go and eat popcorn, HC.

And and for those who don't know, let me introduce geoexpat's resident stalker/nutcase, HC. He has a habit of twisting my words and taking it out of context. Whenever I post I something, he must latch on it. Oh and I only insult him the most, because he keeps taking the bait.

Oh and your point HC? Trying to say I have a contradiction? You are comparing apple with oranges. Your kids don't have a choice on what school to go to. He does not have the luxury of learning the language bit-by-bit but will be thrown into the deep end of cantonese without any help. But you don't have to worry about passing or failing school with cantonese. You can take your time to learn it and adapt to social situations. That is the difference.

For the newbies here, don't take his posting seriously, he's not all there in the head, if you know what I mean.

Think I am too harsh on him by calling him a nutcase and stalker? He has to respond to my every post, like now...

[Watercooler]

For those who are still adamant that foreigners/expats can't master cantonese because it is too difficult and time-consuming to learn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geuqYUVerQ0

[HKITperson]

Original Post Deleted

Or being honest and not to take anything away from this marvelous achievement, how much has being married to a local helped? Because I can see that is where the incentive may have come from and for yourself to be immersed in the Chinese culture. However for someone coming here as an Expat and not expecting to plant their roots here, I suppose that will be very different.

[imparanoic]

plenty of non Chinese have adapted to speak Cantonese on the basis of social integration and better cultural understanding, but I assume that this is at their own discretion

Corinna Chamberlain - given name 陳明恩
Nabela Qoser - given name 利君雅
Gregory Charles River - given name 河國榮
Stephen Selby given name - 謝肅方
Greg smith - no given Chinese name

[HKITperson]

For those who are still adamant that foreigners/expats can't master cantonese because it is too difficult and time-consuming to learn:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geuqYUVerQ0

He looks Eurasian. I think that he studied in HK rather than coming over and learning it.

[HKITperson]

Original Post Deleted

I think it is very relevant as he has set up roots here. But as an Expat coming for a short term contract of say 5 years, then where is that incentive?