Product Description
Cantonese is a vital living language spoken by upwards of a hundred million people in south-east China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Malaysia, Europe, Australia, Fiji, North America and many other parts of the world where the adventurous Cantonese people have settled. It is one of a large family of Chinese languages and retains many more traces of its ancient roots than do most of the other languages. On the other hand it is a language which seems unafraid to adopt or adapt, notably from English in the past century or so, and it invents, evolves and discards slang at a frenetic rate. As a result it is a very rich language. Introducing a wide range of topics and language structures, the course aims to help users progress from the basics to understanding, speaking and writing Cantonese with confidence. Key structures and vocabulary are introduced in 26 thematic units progressing from introducing yourself and dealing with everyday situations to work and finance. Most of the units follow the same pattern: two dialogues, each with a list of new words used and explanations of new grammar points, followed by some exercises.There are four revision units giving more material based on wh
About the Author
Hugh Baker is Professor Emeritus of Chinese at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London where he taught Cantonese and Mandarin for 35 years. Professor Baker has published extensively on Chinese culture, the Chinese family system, Chinese language, and Hong Kong history and society. He was Chief Editorial Consultant to the Channel 4 TV documentary series 'The Heart of the Dragon', and has frequently broadcast on radio and television in Britain and in Hong Kong. Ho Pui-Kei was born in Hong Kong and studied at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Mr Ho has more than 30 years' experience of teaching Cantonese to foreign adults from all walks of life, and he brings to his teaching an approach which emphasises humour and down-to-earth everyday language, the ideal register for the extrovert people of Hong Kong and South China.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.