In the previous entry, we have discussed the
importance of language towards culture. Trying to promote English and Mandarin
more than our own local language, does the language policy dampen the interest
of citizens towards Hong Kong and Chinese culture?
Under the emphasis of “bi-literacy and
tri-lingualism” by the HKSAR, Cantonese shares the same status as English and
Putonghua at the legal and legislative level. However, the resources directed
into development of each language are not well-balanced. Following this policy,
a government-funded Standing Committee on Language Education and Research
(SCOLAR) spent a lot on developing language. However, English and Putonghua are
stressed, by holding Summer Immersion Program in Putonghua and Workplace
English Campaign, yet Cantonese promotion is scant in 1998-2005(Lee and Leung, 2012).
In addition, Hong Kong citizens view
improving Cantonese as unnecessary because over half of the interviewee in a
survey done in 2009 indicates they would rather spend money on English and
Putonghua. Nevertheless, a language does not only serve as a communication tool.
Cantonese is shaped by the daily change of Hong Kong Community, habits of different
walks and education background(Lee and Leung, 2012). In the other words, Cantonese is a historical
record of Hong Kong culture and social characteristic, and is a unique present
for every local Hong Kong people. There is concern that this undervaluation of
Cantonese will soon lead to elimination of Hong Kong culture.
Interestingly, Cantonese seems to be
thriving in Hong Kong despite the practice of language policy. The HK
government census in 2009 shows Cantonese is “the most frequently used”
language in both non-workplace and workplace settings, while English and
Putonghua only reach the level of “infrequently used” and “most infrequently
used” respectively(Lee and Leung, 2012). But this current data does not necessarily mean that this
situation will last, based on the fact of unawareness of citizens.
Singapore is a cosmopolitan city same as
Hong Kong. Under its bilingual education policy, students learn English as
first language while the mother tongue serves as “second language”. This
decision is made in view of the globalization and benefit in world trade and
competition. The results turn out to be lowering the language proficiency in
citizens who develop a non-understandable hybrid “Singlish”. Besides, the
students reduce interest in learning mother tongue. The Singapore government
now has to work on preserving “Asian culture” and national identity(Vaish, 2006). From this
example, we can see the power of language policy on the community, culture and
linguistic ecosystem.
When the Chinese People’s Political
Consultative Conference proposed Guangzhou TV must broadcast in Mandarin in
2010, Hong Kong people gathered in unity and fight for Cantonese (Branigan, 2010). In urgent
incident, Hong Kong people do show their value in Cantonese and hence the local
culture. Unluckily, we cannot solely rely on these incidents to raise awareness
on citizens. Fine-tuning the language policy will be a long-term effective
measure to preserve Hong Kong culture.
Reference:
Branigan T. (2010). Protesters gather in Guangzhou to protect Cantonese language. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/25/protesters-guangzhou-protect-cantonese
Lee K.S. and Leung W.M. (2012) The status of Cantonese in the education policy of Hong Kong. Multilingual Education. Volume 2. Issue 2.
Vaish V. (2006) Globalization and multilingualism in Singapore: Implications for a hybrid identity. American Educational Research Association
Cantonese in Hong Kong is really in an anbiguous situation. Although it is the mother tongue of most Hong Kong people, it does not receive as much respect and atention as English does in education. Even though we have Chinese lessons, culture of Chinese, instead of specifically Cantonese is taught. Usually, people would just take what they possess for granted, with culture industry does not flourish much in Hong Kong,generally Hong Kong people pay little attention on Cantonese. I think the recent rise of concern of Cantonese culture is in fact triggered by the fear of language unification from the central government rather than a simple rise of public awareness of its own culture.
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