Ebook: Hong Kong English (Dialects of English)

This volume provides an overview of all aspects of Hong Kong English in a style designed for undergraduates and general readers. As a British colony, Hong Kong used English in composing the language of government, law, and education. Since the handover to Chinese rule in 1997, the language is no longer primarily used; however, English remains an international language indispensable for a service-oriented economy. It is the medium of instruction in at least a quarter of secondary schools and an important means of communication in banking, finance, business, tourism, and hospitality. English is therefore integrated into Hong Kong life in a variety of ways, resulting in a thriving and ever-evolving form. This book describes Hong Kong English as a linguistic phenomenon from the perspective of language structure and historical, sociocultural, and sociopolitical development.