Hong Kong English (Dialects of English) - Softcover

Setter, Jane; Wong, Cathy S. P.; Chan, Brian H. S.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0748635963 ISBN 13: 9780748635962

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, 2010

Synopsis

This volume provides an overview of all aspects of Hong Kong English in a style designed for undergraduates and general readers. As a former British colony, Hong Kong used English as the language of government, law and education in the early days of colonial rule. Since the Handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997, it is no longer used as the primary language of government. However, the status of English has survived the decline of colonial rule, as English has become an international language which is indispensable for a service-oriented economy such as present-day Hong Kong. Its use is still widespread in legal contexts, and English is the medium of instruction in at least a quarter of secondary schools.

Outwith the realm of education, English is important as a means of international communication in the fields of banking and finance, business, and in the tourism and hospitality industry. English is therefore integrated into Hong Kong life in various ways and this has resulted in a thriving and developing variety of English. This book describes English in Hong Kong as a linguistic phenomenon from the point of view of language structure, but also takes into account historical, socio-cultural and socio-political developments.

About this title

About the Author:

Jane Setter is Senior Lecturer in Phonetics, Head of Department, Department of Applied Linguistics at the University of Reading Cathy S. P. Wong is Assistant Professor at the The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Brian H. S. Chan is Assistant Professor at the University of Macau

About this edition

• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0748635963
• ISBN 13: 9780748635962
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192