Why is English an important language in Hong Kong?

The English language has inarguably achieved a major role in this globalization and it has become the prime language of choice for communication by many different nationalities. Effective communication is the key to success. Therefore, sufficient English skills are vitally important for companies in Hong Kong.

What is the dominant spoken language of Hong Kong among its residents?

As the majority of the population in Hong Kong are descendants of migrants from China’s Canton Province, the vast majority speak standard Cantonese or other Yue Chinese varieties as a first language, with smaller numbers of speakers of Hakka Language or the Teochew dialect of Southern Min.

Why does HK speak Cantonese?

After the British acquired Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories from the Qing in 1841 (officially 1842) and 1898, large numbers of merchants and workers came to Hong Kong from the city of Canton, the main centre of Cantonese. Cantonese became the dominant spoken language in Hong Kong. The …

What is the largest spoken Chinese language in Hong Kong?

While Mandarin Chinese is the largest spoken Chinese language everywhere else, British colonization isolated the Cantonese speakers of Hong Kong from mainland Mandarin influence, and consequently, some English words found their way into Cantonese vocabulary.

Is Cantonese mutually intelligible with Hong Kong?

The two dialects are tonal languages that are not mutually intelligible. A majority, 89\% of households in Hong Kong, speak Cantonese. This language has nine complicated tonal voices and a variety of complex expressions.

How has the teaching of Chinese language changed in Hong Kong?

Another big area of change has been in the medium of instruction (MOI), with a widespread switch to mother-tongue teaching in 1998-9 and the active promotion of teaching Chinese in Putonghua (PMIC) in 2008, with the announcement of HK$200 million in funds to help schools make the switch from Cantonese in Chinese language classes.

Why Hong Kong is a culturally tolerant region?

Hong Kong is a culturally tolerant region and welcomes people from different ethnic backgrounds and religions. Among international languages, French and Japanese are the most studied foreign languages. This fact reflects in the number of estates and restaurants using French and Japanese names.