Final Project Outline

Assignment post 10

Hong Kong

Role of English

1. Explain the role of and use of English in the Country

- How many people speak English?
 
95.2% of Hong Kong's population is using Cantonese and English (38.1%).
some people don't want to use English. Because of Hong Kong's role as former British colony. They knew about it. Historically English was the sole official language of Hong Kong from 1883 to 1974. Chinese become the other language in Hong Kong from 1974 onward.

- How do they study/learn English?

Hong Kong' s education system is similar to English system. And They have great language school system for whose want to learn English.

There are Hong Kong's mainstream four education system.

• 3 years 5 years education for pre-school children
• Six years of elementary education
• 7 years of junior high school education (3 years teaching elementary, middle, and this course of higher education and 2 years 2 years)
• Professional education (bachelor's, bachelor's wealth, professional certifications, advanced diplomas)

 - How is English used in the country (in what ways: business, tourism,                 education, government etc.)?

Hong Kong government, the police, most businesses and shops are also used in combination of two languages. The Chinese are mainly used for the Cantonese.
All government officials, including police officers and immigration officials are required to have a communicative level of English.
In general, shop assistants, restaurant workers and hotel staff in the main tourist areas, such as Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui will be competent in English. Menus in restaurants in these areas will also be provided in English. Seeing as tourists are rarely outside these areas, it means English should be spoken throughout your visit.

- Are there any popular English phrases or expressions?

Some words and phrases widely understood in Hong Kong are rare or unheard of elsewhere. These often derive from Chinese, Anglo-Indian or Portuguese/Macanese.

A 'chop' is a seal or stamp, e.g. a "Company chop" is the seal or stamp of a corporation (It actually originates from colonial Indian English.) It is now used in some other Commonwealth countries as a non-official term
A Tai-Pan (or 'taipan') is a term used in the early 20th century for a business executive of a large corporation.
An amah is a term used in early 20th century for a live-in servant (from Macanese/Portuguese- ama nurse); now supplanted by "[domestic] helper"
A 'shroff' is a cashier in a hospital, a government office or a car park (parking garage).
"Godown" is a warehouse From the Malay "gudang".[8]
Nullah is a concrete-lined canal or an re-enforced creek bed used to contain run-off. Nullah entered the English language from Hindi. The word nullah is used almost exclusively in Hong Kong.
Lai see means red packets
'FILTH'/'Filth' (Failed in London, Try Hongkong[9][10]) is a slang expression used to refer to people who look for employment opportunities in Hong Kong after being unsuccessful in looking for a job in the United Kingdom
The word 'seldom' is used instead of 'rarely' in informal English - the word seldom is considered formal in English speaking countries.
A raffle is invariably referred to as a 'lucky draw'.
Jetso ("著數") is sometimes used to mean discount or special offer.[11] Also means pecuniary advantage
'Hong Kong foot', a literal translation of the Chinese slang term "香港腳" for athlete's foot


2. Choose one area of life where English is used and           explain in more detail

- Why is English important in this area?

In the past Hong Kong was British's colony and Free International City. So English was important. Nowadays business people can be good english speaker. And many other country people travel to the this city. Hong Kong is most famous shopping city in the world. People who in tourism,shopping business can be great English skills. It can be combine lots of world shopping people.

- Give examples

English communication is extremely important as Hong Kong is a multi-cultural city and international financial centre with many foreign companies having offices here. A high level of proficiency in English is essential if Hong Kong is to prosper in future years. Mainland cities like Beijing and Shanghai are already overtaking Hong Kong in many respects such as the number of multi-national companies that have moved their headquarters there. Hong Kong's competitiveness is dependant on a high level of English proficiency. As traditional industries fade or move away, tourism is increasingly becoming important for HK's economy. From waiters to shop assistants to taxi drivers the English standard has to rise for business to flourish here.

- Use visuals or media to explain 

<http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photography-shopping-mall-plaza-hollywood-hong-kong-image22318087>

<http://www.joaocajuda.com/en/hong-kong/>

<http://thehkhub.com/i-live-here/shop/bagging-a-bargain-in-hong-kong/>

http://gohongkong.about.com/od/travelplanner/a/englishinhk.htm
http://www.hkenglish.com/resources/general-blog/files/english-standard-declining-hong-kong.html
http://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%ED%99%8D%EC%BD%A9#.EA.B5.90.EC.9C.A1
http://english-courses-hong-kong.tumblr.com/post/12317965592/learn-english-hk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_English