Hong Kong English香港英文

Evelyn Manresa RivesMª Eugenia Sánchez OcañaFélix Martínez García

CHINA

HONG KONG

-British Colony until 1997-Divided in 3 areas Hong Kong Island Kowloon New Territories-1102 km2 of extension-75% Nature reserve-The 7.008.900 hab. Live in the other 25%!

History

Until 1841, Hong Kong was the settlement of chinese pirates.

It was a base of opium exportation.

1842 Treatment of Nanking Hong Kong became British territory.

History II

Hong Kong was one of the most important colonies in the Pacific.

1860 Hong Kong Island was ceded to the British.

1949 Chinese people emigrate to California.

July 1st. 1997 Hong kong became independent.

Background

Two official languages

Chinese

English

English is used in the Government, academic circles, business and the courts.

Most Hongkongers regard English as a foreign language used primarily for formal communications, particularly in writing.

Linguistic aspects

HKEng. Is related to two different concepts.

The variation of the English language used in Hong Kong.

Uses British spellings and pronunciation.

Non British words: 'chop', 'shroff', 'nullah' and 'godown'

The accent as a result of its use by Cantonese speakers.

Also called Cantonese English

English spoken by native Hongkongers and other Cantonese speakers

Pronunciation

/R/ Non-Rhotic variety

[r] is confused with the sound [w]

rain /weIn/

Voiceless TH pronounced as [f] or [θ]

Three /fri/

Voiced TH tends to be [d].

though is /dou/

Pronunciation II

TR pronounced as CH

“Train” becomes / tʃeIn/.

Voicing of consonants

[d], [z] and [dʒ] become [t], [s], [tʃ]

Bad, easy, giant

V pronounced as W

Vector/wektə/

Pronunciation III

N is confused with the L sound

Nose /ləʊz/

Final dark L pronounced as W

Milk /miwk/

Devoicing of final consonants

-b/-p -g/-k -d/-t

Cab/Cup Bag/Back Sad/Sat

Pronunciation IV

Multi-syllable words are often differently stressed.

Later is pronounced /leɪ’tə/

Omission of syllables in longer words.

'temperature' becomes TEM-PI-CHUR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFULClC9H8Q&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLED127025D4F2B657

Grammar

Omitting articles like "the" and "a".

He printed (a) picture.

Most of (the) plants were giant plants.

No use of contractions.

Are not , can not , do not…

"on", "in" and "at" are often interchangeable.

The keys are [in/on/at] the table (same meaning)

Grammar II

Omitting -ed and –ing in adjectives.

He is charm ; I feel bore.

No relative clauses

The heat (which) came from the earth would make the mud become rock

Grammar III

Lack of SUBJECT-VERB agreement.

It help produce mucous (It helps)

Missing SubjectChinese is a ‘Topic prominent’ language, where there is no obligatory Subject

(*) felt angry with people (He/She…)

‘Pseudo-Passive’constructions.

And it can find in carrots. (can be found)

Vocabulary

Astronaut a HK person who has emigrated overseas with his/her family.

Dimsum delicatessen

Chongsam a long lady’s dress

Kwailoforeigner

Laisee a red envelope containing money (as a

gift, for good luck)

Vocabulary

Shroff A payment counter.

Amah Live-in servant.

Add oil Encourage someone to put more effort into a certain task.

Godown Warehouse.

"Open the door, see the mountain“

go straight to the point" in a conversation.

QUIZ

QUIZ

Hong Kong was British territory until…

A) 1990 B) 1977 C) 1997 D)1607

In HKEng. pronunciation we can find voiceless TH as…

A) [f] or [θ] B) [f] or [t] C) [f] or [d] D) [θ] or [t]

QUIZ

How do you pronounce “train” in HKEng.?

A) /tleIn/ B) / tʃeIn/ C) /treIn/ D) /tʃain/

What does “amah” mean?

A) servant B) mother C) love D) beer

QUIZ

Which is the right expression?

A) Open the door, see the mountain.

B) Open the window, see the mountain.

C) Close the door, the cat escapes.

D) Open the door, open your mind.

What is the meaning of “Chongsam”?

A) Kind of food B) HK river

C) Clothes brand D) Dress

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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