Hey guys!
New guy here, sorry if this is the wrong place for this but I was wondering about life in Hong Kong after the handover in 1997, but first quick introduction!
My name is Jay and I am a US born Asian-American, I speak Cambodian, Thai and conversational Spanish. I grew up in the 90s watching Hong Kong classics and listening to Cantopop with my favorite singer being Jacky Cheung. When I was younger I did numerous martial arts and found myself taking courses in Wushu in Boston's Chinatown. Being around Chinatown I would learn a few basic Cantonese phrases but never found interest in learning the language.
Until recently dating my girlfriend who is an ABC but speaks fluent Cantonese. We have been together now but quite a bit and I took an interest in learning Cantonese after meeting her family and seeing that they do not speak English.
I bought myself a few, tho VERY limited, self taught Cantonese books ( i.e Pimsleur, Complete Cantonese, Berlitz ) and have been teaching myself in addition to having a Cantonese tutor to help with my tones as well as Cantonese slang. ( 你好 Frankie! )
The more I study Cantonese the more I am intrigued by its history, culture and roots towards Chinese history. I understand that Cantonese is one of the oldest Chinese dialects and that it lost by 1 vote to Mandarin.
Upon my studies I've learned that Mandarin is now the official language of China, even though its still a pretty young dialect compared to Cantonese. Simplified Chinese is easier to write and read thus increasing literacy and unifying China with an official language and script but why does China seem so intent on taking away Traditional Chinese as well as Cantonese in the process?
I understand that its for the greater good but why do so in such a way? Growing up I always heard that Cantonese and Mandarin always went head to head against each other but now Mandarin lies on top. Which leads me to this question, with Hong Kong and Guangdong and such facing pressure from the Mainland every now and then to stop protests, change to simplified characters as well as pushing Mandarin more and more into these cities.
How has life in Hong Kong been after 1997?
How do people feel about it? Is it the same? Has anything major changed? After 156 of British rule are the people happy to be back under Chinese rule or do they still wish the British were around?
How is life in Hong Kong now? How do Hong Kongers feel about everything that's going on? Is the Hong Kong way of life being preserved or is it being changed slowly but surely?
Sorry if this is the wrong place to post such a topic but I am genuinely curious about this matter.
New guy here, sorry if this is the wrong place for this but I was wondering about life in Hong Kong after the handover in 1997, but first quick introduction!
My name is Jay and I am a US born Asian-American, I speak Cambodian, Thai and conversational Spanish. I grew up in the 90s watching Hong Kong classics and listening to Cantopop with my favorite singer being Jacky Cheung. When I was younger I did numerous martial arts and found myself taking courses in Wushu in Boston's Chinatown. Being around Chinatown I would learn a few basic Cantonese phrases but never found interest in learning the language.
Until recently dating my girlfriend who is an ABC but speaks fluent Cantonese. We have been together now but quite a bit and I took an interest in learning Cantonese after meeting her family and seeing that they do not speak English.
I bought myself a few, tho VERY limited, self taught Cantonese books ( i.e Pimsleur, Complete Cantonese, Berlitz ) and have been teaching myself in addition to having a Cantonese tutor to help with my tones as well as Cantonese slang. ( 你好 Frankie! )
The more I study Cantonese the more I am intrigued by its history, culture and roots towards Chinese history. I understand that Cantonese is one of the oldest Chinese dialects and that it lost by 1 vote to Mandarin.
Upon my studies I've learned that Mandarin is now the official language of China, even though its still a pretty young dialect compared to Cantonese. Simplified Chinese is easier to write and read thus increasing literacy and unifying China with an official language and script but why does China seem so intent on taking away Traditional Chinese as well as Cantonese in the process?
I understand that its for the greater good but why do so in such a way? Growing up I always heard that Cantonese and Mandarin always went head to head against each other but now Mandarin lies on top. Which leads me to this question, with Hong Kong and Guangdong and such facing pressure from the Mainland every now and then to stop protests, change to simplified characters as well as pushing Mandarin more and more into these cities.
How has life in Hong Kong been after 1997?
How do people feel about it? Is it the same? Has anything major changed? After 156 of British rule are the people happy to be back under Chinese rule or do they still wish the British were around?
How is life in Hong Kong now? How do Hong Kongers feel about everything that's going on? Is the Hong Kong way of life being preserved or is it being changed slowly but surely?
Sorry if this is the wrong place to post such a topic but I am genuinely curious about this matter.