Cantonese Blues
alexandermuir
October 10, 2008, 02:59 AM posted in General DiscussionSo this summer I decided that I would try to take a semester abroad in China through my school. I figured it'd be prudent to start learning mandarin, so I did. Trouble now is that it looks like i'm going to Hong Kong instead of the mainland. Should I continue with mandarin or give up and switch to cantonese?
the trip is in over a year, so i'll have plenty of time to start over, but i don't want to feel like i've wasted my time these last few months with mandarin. ANY advice would be greatly appreciated
pearltowerpete
October 10, 2008, 03:27 AMHi boocowofdeath,
It's great to hear that you're exploring Asia. I strongly recommend you continue with your Mandarin studies, for the following reasons:
1) Mandarin is far more widely spoken than Cantonese. I know, there is a wide variety of accents and regional variation, but still Mandarin is the lingua franca of Greater China.
2) Especially in the last ten years, as mainlanders have poured into Hong Kong to live and do business, Mandarin has become much more common in that city.
Obviously no matter where you live in China it would be good to learn some of the local dialect as a sign of respect. But it's not strictly necessary.
Cantonese is a lovely language (and boasts the richest selection of classic love songs and KTV tunes). But unless you are explicitly planning on living in Chinatowns or Hong Kong, it makes much more sense for you to learn Mandarin.
Let me wish you the best of luck with your studies, no matter what you intend to do.