The Future Of English In Hong Kong

After the handover of Hong Kong, the issue of language in the region remains largely unsolved. Not only is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region directive of two literature languages and three spoken ones confusing forecast indicate the end the use of English in the region. As Hong Kong sets its eyes to becoming Asian global city, it will need English hence; death of the language will be suicidal to the regions objectives (Evans, 2010). Throughout this study, the focus will be on the future of English in the region of Hong Kong with its handover to China nearing and the “One country, two systems” it currently runs under. Authorities are advocating for the usage of Cantonese, which is losing ground to Putonghua. As the essay focuses on the direction that English is likely to take in the future, it also progresses towards the effects posed by the usage of English in the country’s literature.

Most Hong Kong dwellers speak Cantonese as the first language and learn both English and Putonghua as second languages. Previously, the use Putonghua advanced because of the fact that it is Chinese oriented than Putonghua. The projections at the time of implementing Putonghua were that it would replace Cantonese as the main language that people in Hong Kong would use (Evans, 2010). However, due the influence of Britain as evident in all its former colonial territories, English became the official language in the country and the global Franca lingua. This has made it difficult to replace English in the country as many other colonial nations found. Hence, most of them with the exception of Malaysia and Tanzania opted to adopt the language. In what experts see as a smart move on the part of the government, Hong Kong is maintaining the usage of English in its written work (Evans, 2010).

With the expected full acquisition of the region by China, English might be at threat in the future of the region. Given that China predominantly uses Chinese in almost all of its communications (both formal and informal); English might be facing extinction possibilities from 2047 going forward. However, scrapping English will not be that easy for authorities. It is evident now that most non-governmental organizations are using English as the formal language of communication. The reasons cited for this trend is that people associate the language with professionalism and style in the business world. Hence, most of them respond to the external communications in English even in cases where the initial communication is in Cantonese. However, it is worth noting that Cantonese is gaining ground in governmental organization and government related agencies due to the direct influence from the government.

To end the usage of English in written work is not a walk in the park for authorities. Hence, it does not matter the number of policies they use or even the amount of pressure they impose on agencies, people continue to use English in their written work within organizations. The reason is that it is easier to use English to write documents and to communicate than it is to write in Chinese. Accordingly, many people use English in emails, memo, and other forms of written work within organizations (Wright & Kelly-Holmes, 2000). It is common for large corporations to reply to clients with English and then later on follow that with a telephone explanation in Cantonese. Hence, the future of English in the region is in written communication. This is at the expense of Chinese and ironically, the official language of the country the region will be part of come the year 2047.

However, it seems to be a dead end for spoken English in the region. This comes with the fact that most of the people who are still using spoken English are executives. In the future and because of this reduction in English usage most of the Hong Kong region is likely to be using Cantonese and Putonghua as Franca Lingua of the nation. A catalyst to this effect is the reduced number of foreigners working in the in the region (Evans, 2010). A government directive sought to decrease the number of executives employed in its agencies. In other words, though the there are employees working in the country, they are not allowed to hold senior positions. The reduction of foreigners in the working force is going to reduce the number of non-Cantonese speakers hence, decreasing necessity to speak English (Wright & Kelly-Holmes, 2000). When the government advocated for a bi-literacy and tri-lingualism in the country it did fail to indicate the prescribed levels and consequently, English lost to Chinese, Putonghua, and Cantonese.

There are also indications that English is likely to lose out in areas of its strong hold. Initially, judiciary in the country was using English for communications within the chambers. With Cantonese introduction to the chambers, English is no longer finding use in courtrooms. The only instances that lawyers use English is asking specific questions where they feel English will bring out the meaning intended. Moreover, introduction of Chinese stream in the country’s education system will affect negatively the usage of English. However, currently Hong Kong authorities are finding it difficult to implement the directive given the fact that is not favored both by students and by the education sector stakeholders; it will eventually fully replace English. Looking at the situation right now and given that the country is not yet fully Chinese-controlled the future of English in the country is grim.

Full integration of the region to the mainland will be the end of English. Evidently, china has a larger population than Hong Kong who speaks Chinese and is likely to further influence the language that takes the largest share in the country (Wright & Kelly-Holmes, 2000). Because of this, Hong Kong is more likely to turn into a Chinese-speaking nation. Organizations in the country will compete with Chinese corporations for the same citizens hence the likelihood that they will switch into Chinese in the near future. Consequently, though now it is difficult to change the nation to stop using English as an official language, in 2047 it will be much easier. When Hong Kong will be part of China, English will diminish naturally, however that might take time to happen.

Looking at the discussion in this essay it is evident the government is trying its best to have a bi-literacy and tri-lingualism nation. However, the lack of government specifications to the extent of usage is facilitating the death of some of the languages. Putonghua is replacing Cantonese while Chinese is replacing English in many areas. Regardless of the intentions of the authorities in the end, these languages will not be in the mainstream Hong Kong. The death of English is going to affect the region’s global aspirations negatively because this language is the global Franca lingua. Hence, most nations are gearing themselves towards the language and not away from it. If not checked the future of English in the region is grim and has limited chances of surviving.

References

Evans, S. (2010). Language in transitional Hong Kong: Perspectives from the public and private sectors. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 31, 4, 347-363.

Wright, S., & Kelly-Holmes, H. (2000). One country, two systems, three languages: a survey of changing language use in Hong Kong. Bristol: Multilingual Matters Publishers.