The letter:
Puzzled by opposition to English
As a non-native English speaker I am often baffled by the anti-English sentiments in some quarters of Asia’s world city.
Furthermore it is fascinating to see that while English has an aura of ‘cool’ to youngsters all over the world (including mainland China) this does not seem to be the case here.
I foresee that in 10 years’ time, the whole world will speak ( a sort of )English except for one pocket in the southeast of China: Hong Kong.
Josephine Bersee, Mid-Levels
Dear Editor,
I am writing to respond to Josephine Bersee’s letter concerning opposition to English in Hong Kong.
Ms Bersee has expressed her bafflement towards the anti-English sentiments in Hong Kong that English has attracted youngsters all over the world except Hong Kong. She has also stated that Hong Kong would become the only pocket of not speaking English over the entire world in 10 years’ time.
Obviously, what Ms Bersee has pinpointed is too exaggerated and assertive. She has neither provided any evidence to solidify her claims nor looked at the whole picture. In fact, the actual situation in Hong Kong is contrary to what Ms Bersee has said.
To begin with, Ms Bersee feels that there are strong anti-English sentiments in one of the Asia’s world city and that goes to Hong Kong.
However, being a cosmopolitan metropolis, Hong Kong is always exposed to English and most of the Hong Kongers are used to the life surrounded by English. In those industries requiring frequent contact with foreigners, English is usually the lingua franca being used. For example, commercial, financial or logistic services demand good uses of English in order to attract foreign investments and do business with other overseas companies. Even nowadays, people who do not engage in those industries requiring frequent contact with foreigners are also keen on learning English. Thus, Hong Kongers are not hostile to English at all.
Apart from the above, Ms Bersee has claimed that English has an aura of ‘cool’ to youngsters all over the world but it is not the case in Hong Kong.
Nevertheless, many youngsters in Hong Kong do love English, which runs counter to what Ms Bersee has affirmed. Listening to English songs, watching films or reading books in English are the hobbies many Hong Kong teens share at their leisure. English, instead of being such ‘frightening’, tends to interest most of the teenagers in Hong Kong. Also, roaming in the street, it is not difficult to find a Hong Kong youngster being capable of speaking fluent and beautiful English. The judgment that Hong Kong teens do not welcome English is, therefore, invalid.
Last but not least, Ms Bersee has voiced her own forecast that Hong Kong would be left at an isolated corner of the entire world for being the only one not speaking English.
Yet, according to numerous surveys conducted by authoritative sources, although Hong Kong may not rank the highest for the English level, she is definitely not at the bottom of the list. What’s more, the English level of Hong Kong has long been recognized by other countries. Besides, as an international financial hub, Hong Kong does possess a high English level via emphasizing the importance of English. Hence, what Ms Bersee has foreseen seems to be unlikely to be actualized.
To conclude, as regarding to the above proofs, the real situation in Hong Kong indeed overthrows the claims of Ms Bersee. Due to inadequate evidence, what Ms Bersee has pointed out seem to be lopsided and disagreeable.
Yours faithfully
Sandy Wong