If the local language is Cantonese, but the government is forcing to use Mandarin in law and other official businesses, to me it sounds the same as forcing Ukrainians to speak Russian (in the old USSR), Catalans to speak Spanish, and French Canadian to speak English. It's soft cultural assimilation.

I don't know much about the local language usage in HK, so i could be wrong though.

[–] AdlachGyfiawn@lemmygrad.ml 11 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Are you under the impression that the British-trained woman being quoted is fluent in Cantonese but not Mandarin?

[–] i_love_FFT@lemmy.ml -5 points 8 months ago

I don't know, I didn't read the article. I try to make as little assumptions as I can... It could just add easily be a native that trained in the UK, but then i suppose it would have been mentioned.

Which language do you think the government should use/expect from it's employes in HK?

[–] Trudge@lemmygrad.ml 5 points 8 months ago

Yeah I can tell that you don't know much about Chinese languages.

The spoken form is different, but the written formal form is mostly the same between Cantonese and Mandarin.

Instead of cultural imperialism of forcing English, this measure is giving power back to the populace.