Cantonese as Written Language: The Growth of a Written Chinese Vernacular - Hardcover

Snow, Don

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 962209709X ISBN 13: 9789622097094

Publisher: Hong Kong University Press, 2004

Synopsis

This book examines this development in the broader context of diglossia, and also of the patterns by which spoken vernaculars have developed written forms in other societies.

About this title

Synopsis:

Cantonese is the only dialect of Chinese which has developed a widely known and used written form. It has played a role in publishing in the Guangdong region since the late Ming dynasty when various types of verses using Cantonese were published as my yu shu ( [yen]wooden fish books ). In the early twentieth century these dialect texts were joined by Cantonese opera scripts, published as popular reading material. However, it was only after the end of the Second World War that written Cantonese came to be widely used in popular newspapers and magazines, advertising, and in the private communications. Cantonese as Written Language examines this development in the broader context of diglossia, and also of the patterns by which spoken vernaculars have developed written forms in other societies. Based on primary source research, including interviews with publishers and writers who played an important role in the growth of written Cantonese, the author argues that this move of Cantonese into the realm of written language is closely associated with Hong Kong s distinct local culture and identity.

The growth of the written vernacular also reflects the territory s evolving cultural distinctiveness from mainland China, first as a British colony, and now as a Special Administrative Region of China.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hong Kong University Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 962209709X
• ISBN 13: 9789622097094
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 332