How to Say Hello? April 9, 2008
Posted by wilson2002 in HK, Language.add a comment
In Malaysia, whenever you receive a phone call, you would normally say HELL-Lo first. Am I right? As in HELLO (English).
However over here the dominating language is Cantonese. Therefore instead of saying HELL-LO, people here say ‘Wei’ or ‘Wai’. Fyi, ‘Wei’ sounds more like ‘Way’.
Since I’m not a native Hong Konger, it is natural for me to say HELL-LO on the phone. Now you may wonder how does the local people react? Sometimes there will be a short pause, sometimes long.
1) Then some people hang up! -_-!!!!!
2) Some will just hentam with Cantonese, regardless of whether you are a ‘kwai lo’ or not.
3) If you are talking to someone from Mainland China, then you will hear all sorts of Putonghua/Mandarin accents (some are pretty cool, especially Beijing accent). Oh ya, over here we regard Mandarin as Putonghua. This is a more acceptable term.
4) Finally, those with good phone etiquette will talk to you in English 
Based on my experience, the worst scenario is when someone dialed the wrong number. I picked up the phone and said the usual HELL-LO. I’m sure you can predict what happened next. There was a long pause, several HELL-LOs and in the end tut tut tut tut tut tut tut tut tut tut tut tut tut tut …………………
How can I not be tulan?
HK English (2) April 4, 2008
Posted by wilson2002 in HK, Language, Rant.add a comment
How do you pronounce number?
I believe all of you would say ‘num – ber’
Am I right? Tell me I am!!!!!!!!
Over here things are different.
Everytime I attend classes, I will sit behind and in one corner so that I can laugh whenever I hear ‘lum-bar’
Seriously, when you say ‘num-ber’ most of the locals do not understand. You have to say it the local way which is ‘lum-bar’.
I’m quite frustrated with this. I do not want to say ‘lum-bar’ when I return home. Someone will say I am ‘le-mah’
In conclusion, due to this reason and other reasons, I do not think I will stay in HK permanently.
Thank you very much for reading my midnight rant.
Have a nice evening
HK English March 31, 2008
Posted by wilson2002 in HK, Language.add a comment
Standard English HK English
1) Router – Routar
2) Bus – Barsie
3) Toast – Toasie
4) Printer – Printar
5) Number – Lumbar (this is my fav)
6) Speaker – Speakar
7) Server – Servar
Canteen – Dun say cafeteria, they dun understand
9) Coffee – Karfe
10) Paper – Peipar
11) Pro – Pou
12) English – Kai Cheong
13) Master – Mastar
