Quick question about the language

[HowardCoombs]

Oh and your point HC?

My point is fairly consistent. You dont know much but continue to spew out of multiple orifices, usually with multiple spelling mistakes.

Trying to say I have a contradiction?

You are asserting:
a) expats should not send their little kids to learn Cantonese at school because its too hard
b) older expats should learn Cantonese as its not that hard and you will have a fuller life

Everyone (who happens to be sane) in this world knows that language acquisition is best done when young. Contradiction, nahhh, I'm not saying that at all; Using your own words and ideas, I'm demonstrating and that you are certifiable.

[chris_yang22]

OP wanted a quick answer, but he got a GeoExpat pissing contest. 👏😜

[transit]

How much will I get away with when using English? Should I make the effort to learn Cantonese or Mandarin? Also not quite sure which one. I heard Cantonese is the main language there, but a Chinese friend of mine told me to learn Mandarin as everyone there speaks it and then I can use it in China too.

If I can get by with English then that would be good. I don't mind learning another language, but am teaching myself Japanese at the moment so it would be hard!

I speak English 99.4% of the time and most of them understand me but I always mix up my daw je and mgoy when I want to say thank you. Jo sun means good morning and holok means coke. That's all.

[chris_yang22]

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

His name is Carlos Vidal and he's from Vancouver. He lives here now. If I'm not mistaken, he spent a year or two here as a college student. So, yes he studied in Hong Kong. Another way of putting it is he came over and learned Cantonese.

[Mat]

Chinese opera is one of the most painful experiences ever, closely followed by Canto Pop.

To you. I thoroughly enjoy it and my wife too (and no am not 60+ years old)…agree abt Canto pop tho ;-)

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[Mat]

HKIT.... I know two brits here in HK who speak perfect (according to my wife)…canto…they learned it before meeting their local wives. It is rare but totally possible. Afterall cantonese grammar is much simpler than many other languages. Tones are the killer.

Mind u I have been trying for years (on and off)…and i have not found it easy...one day maybe...but like everything...it is possible (rare i admit but possible)/
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[HKITperson]

His name is Carlos Vidal and he's from Vancouver. He lives here now. If I'm not mistaken, he spent a year or two here as a college student. So, yes he studied in Hong Kong. Another way of putting it is he came over and learned Cantonese.

Thanks for the clarification. It's simply amazing that he is able to speak Cantonese as he does like a native and without even an accent.

[Yeahbaby]

OP wanted a quick answer, but he got a GeoExpat pissing contest. 👏😜

Whenever in a meeting, whether office or social, when someone says they need a quick answer...

[Yeahbaby]

HKIT.... I know two brits here in HK who speak perfect (according to my wife)…canto…they learned it before meeting their local wives. It is rare but totally possible. Afterall cantonese grammar is much simpler than many other languages. Tones are the killer.

Mind u I have been trying for years (on and off)…and i have not found it easy...one day maybe...but like everything...it is possible (rare i admit but possible)/
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It's easier if Cantonese is all you spoke everyday. Or if you spoke Cantonese for more than 50% of your conversations. When you can fall back on English, you aren't quite forced to learn how to speak it as rapidly.

[Mat]

It's easier if Cantonese is all you spoke everyday. Or if you spoke Cantonese for more than 50% of your conversations. When you can fall back on English, you aren't quite forced to learn how to speak it as rapidly.

Indeed. I remember a few years ago a friend based in HK. he was there for 7 years....no canto or mando whatsoever. Then he got transferred to Chengdu..1.5 y after is mando was v v good.

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