But then, may I ask WHY THERE SHOULD BE HKCEE & HKALE then?!?!?!

It is simply unfair to the ethnic non-Chinese local students! If it is their choice and their wish not to study Chinese, fine! (For instance, most non-Chinese students, or even ethnic Chinese students, who chose to study in various int'l schools don't care about Chinese learning.) But now, the case is, they WANT TO LEARN but are not catered for!

I mean, without a standardised qualification (e.g.: Chinese Language as second language examined in Cantonese as an HKCEE subject), they can never get recognised as 'fluent in Cantonese', etc.

有誰敢說中文比英文容易呢﹖

自問中文是我的第一語言﹐廣東話是我的母語﹐我都覺得中文比英文難很多很多﹐怎麼可以用英文直接跟中文比較﹖

在我學過的語言中﹐English is by far the easiest language to learn and master. 不要告訴我你沒有聽到那許許多多的'以廣東話為母語者'的廣東話懶音或者讀錯音﹐還有就是那些連篇的錯字和別字。

由於中文是世界上(大的語言來說)唯一的非表音體系﹐如果那不是一個人的第一語言﹐那整個概念是很難接受的。還有﹐就算我們從三歲開始學看和寫中文吧﹐學心詞語怎麼說都學到十三﹐十四歲﹐歷時約十年。如果家裏沒有人幫忙﹐要去追﹐十年的功夫﹐談何容易呢﹖

君不見有些廣東話流利得不可思議的外國移民﹐才來了香港5﹐6年就已經一點口音都沒有﹐可是還是徹頭徹尾的中文文盲嗎﹖

即使口語可以說是他們不努力跟其他人交流所以學不好﹐書寫方面﹐中文的文字可不是兒戲。

有沒有留意﹐很多移民的第二代如果能講父母的母語﹐都可以書寫﹐可是ABC或BBC等中國移民的後裔﹐很多廣東話或者其他方言很流利﹐卻是中文文盲﹖
這現象﹐或者能或多或少反映出中文的難度(最少跟英文相比)了吧﹖

//如果我不說這是「中文沙文主義」或「中國人教育觀念的沙文主義」在作崇﹐那也須指出﹐粗心地處理 NCS 的問題﹐會扭曲市場﹐扭曲文化和人才的多元性。//

NCS students being sent to Chinese schools, without the Chinese schools preparing for their needs are just making it impossible for these students.

Actually, it is EMB strategy to Kill off NCS schools that specialized in teaching NCS students. It is very obvious to me. For those who think everyone has to learn "Chinese" just because the majority do, forget that there are a lot of "white" students in Hong Kong doing the same thing. The different is "class" difference. The PTU support these students going to Chinese schools because they are thinking of "saving" the Chinese schools that going to be kiilled. They think more of the benefit of teachers rather than the NCS students. And yes, PTU discriminated against Southern Asians too. They are part of the Hong Kong society afterall.

Ask me about the NCS schools that have teaching assistance that speak Hindu and Nepalnese and I would tell you lot of stories about how these children suffered in Chinese schools. Discrimination in schools is a given.

NCS is a term classified by the Hong Kong Education and Manpower Bureau. NCS stands for Non Chinese speaking no matter what race you are. Parents have to fill in the form to say "NCS" in order to get into the existing 7 government funded schools for NCS students.

And yes, the NGO above is very bias against Southern Asians, over blaming the lack of job opportunities on their Chinese language skills. That is so bullshit! I wanted to scream "it is racial discrimination you dumb ass" to the director Fermi Wong, who is a hypocrite anyway.

[b]
好了，有甚麼人多年爭取到甚麽都好，沒有名字的「非華裔學童」就算學好中文，拿了身份證，讀完中學，就算，打過可能不禮貌的比方，與本地人結婚，落地成家...... 請撫心自問，我們的社會，究竟會不會接受來自南亞州諸國的「香港人」，跟我們在住屋、就業、教育、醫療和政治權利上，受到平等看待？
[/b]

那就要看他們去到那一個地步了。如果做律司醫生會計司等高尚職業﹐大慨沒有人會歧視他們。香港畢竟還是個功利的社會﹐歧視窮人比歧視邊人的膚色實際。

一蚊健寫道：

"...我可能表達不好，現作少少解釋：

我引用「Yesterday 跟 Tomorrow」的例子，目的是指出老師跟學生除了用中文難以溝通外，用英文也不易溝通，有時也會有誤會，這就是一個例子。"

在旁枝小節上補充一個資料就打圓場？
請拿出一點水平來啊！

***

仲有各位，我當然知道咩叫「NCS」，我現下是要質疑這個同一性的行政標號對家長、學童在選校、生活與學習各環節帶來的影響和這種分法的荒謬，特別是在現行兩文三語中英學校分流的學制上體現出來的「特別標韱又特別不去處理」的歧視性質，唔係問字詞解釋！

我的意見是，居港南亞學童的學業(以致將來就業與參與本地社會)問題的政策背景、政經文化背景與差異，和家長學童的諸種有關學業的實質需要，長久被NGO 公關和政府當局消音，給框置在「中文學習、校本課程之具體操作上」等「議題式文章研討」的討論上，**完全**係焦點挪移，連消帶打把幾十萬旅居、定居本港的外藉人士之適齡子女的教育需要廻避、推搪過去！

將經濟階級分層與文化背景、種族、性別、宗教等參項割離分述，指有錢的「專業人仕」就不會那麼被受種族歧視的講法，簡直離譜！

請張眼看看現實：點解在後巷洗碗的阿嬸永遠是阿嬸？是因為她 1) "年紀大"、2)不是男人、3)學歷低、4)新移民，還是她 5)中文／英文不好？

各位大可以就年齡歧視、性別歧視立法，成立識字班、IT班，但在後巷洗碗的依然是同一班1) "年紀大"、2)不是男人、3)學歷低、4)新移民，5)中文／英文不好的洗碗阿嬸。她們何以來到這個階級位置上？這反駁了單就某些具議題效應而發的主流論述角度，根本站不住脚。

請讓我再舉不合禮貌的例子說明相似的道理：來港打工的菲律賓、印尼幫傭，她們在香港人的家幫大少抹屎幫千金挽鞋，是因為1) 年紀輕但不能有性吸引力、2)不是男人但不能有性吸引力、3)學歷高要識聽港腔英語但要乖、4)無户藉滿約即刻要走，還是她5) 樣樣都要好但不能有性吸引力，不准不聽主子的話。她們何以來到這個階級位置上？

許多人話她們懶、污糟、搞呢搞路、霸左條街。這些通通都可以成立，有例子支持，但離問題的核心非常遙遠。

正如上面回應所述，明明白白的種族歧視和港式自大狂給置換成其它條件式抽象討論，那只會離問題的中心愈來愈遠，把「衝突」滯後、推延，但未解决。而且，這種講法與「種族」訴諸原典、訴諸「天然已然」的去歷史／偽歷史論據不謀而合。

正如把所有「香港人」等同於「經濟動物」之論一樣，無視問題生成的條件和箇中曲折，還要把剝削自己的歪理看成既定事實，一抱入懷！

我們連自己的主子也當不成，還要人家學我們的中文？誰的中文？哪種中文？你會叫來香港的法國仔英國妹學中文揾工麼？天啊！

當某族裔的人數，介乎於不起眼的少數及足以影嚮大局的多數之間，最容易出現歧視。因為這個時期，族裔人數可以足夠成立小社區，既非勢孤力弱致被迫容入主流，亦非強大至可以影嚮主流，所以最容易與主流文化產生矛盾。這就是visible minority可見少數。

havengel說的，很礙耳，但真。因為有能力『擠身上流』的，其實是『擠身主流』，當然不被歧視。

香港歧視小數族裔的高峰，是在開始大量引入菲傭之時。以菲傭作為笑話，甚至色情短篇的文章，比比皆是。但純因為種族問題而發生衡突的，卻是罕見。

香港教育的問題，是在長遠規劃中，只考慮不同年齡的比例，沒考慮到可見少數。究竟種族漠視是否等同種族歧視？畢竟，法律上少數族裔也擁有同樣的受教育權利。

$1 Kin said, '因為連普通的書寫中文也不能掌握而不能找到工作，正是不少南亞裔人士面對的問題。'

Actually, sometimes (for a lot of jobs in fact), fluent Cantonese is already okay, but the lack of qualifications is a big trouble and difficulty in getting a proper job for them. (Of course, I won’t deny the existence of racial discrimination in HK. Just it is hidden behind the screen of ‘requirements of qualifications’ in such cases.)

We all know that HK is a 'qualification-maniac' place, and with no 'PROOF' of Chinese standard (or Cantonese standard) is the best excuse for the bosses or employers not to hire them. (Although once you try to talk to them, you can easily see their Cantonese standard, they don't count!!!) That's why I think a syllabus and a public exam for 'Chinese / Cantonese as the econd language' is necessary for them to combat this 'systematic discrimination'.

And, 李智良, don't be SO HARSH!!! Your attitude is discouraging, not helpful in constructing this discussion towards a deeper direction at all! And especially as $1 Kin has not been participating in a lot of discussions at In-media, it has been a bit too demanding. Can you just give people time to get used to the mode of discussions here? Thanks!

In fact, I tried to point out that everybody, no matter what race of nationality one is, one should be free to choose what (s)he wants, under a world with perfect information (as perfect as possible, as I know that REAL perfect doesn't exist).

Frankly, a Punjabi friend of mine, Giggs (as he refused to be called Indian, I follow his will. You can read my essay on multiculturalism to see how he identify himself), was born and educated in HK, now he regrets not learning Cantonese well enough. The problem is that, he didn't know that Cantonese would be that important. But even now, he doesn't care as much for written Chinese. I asked him myself, if he could choose again and be a child again, he would only want to learn Cantonese, but not Chinese. Now, he can understand quite a lot of Cantonese already, but he couldn't speak well. (I would say, Gill Paul speaks Cantonese VERY WELL; even better than MANY local-born ethnic Chinese people.)

And another local Indian friend of mine has difficulty getting a job for she can't read Chinese. The needs of different people are different, as simple as that.

In my point of view, even Caucasians should learn Cantonese if they live in HK, but they should also have right to choose not to learn, of course. Even as a local Chinese, I find myself being discriminated against as not being a Caucasian. I mean it! The stupidity of Chinese (including HK Chinese and many overseAS Chinese here) is at such a level that I can't tolerate it anymore.

I would say that, I see $1 Kin also understands these isues, just he didn't express these ideas implicitly in the article. To provide 'Chinese as Second Language' course or exam as a choice is to lower the requirement for those who want to learn Chinese and give them a more realistic aim or target for them, regarding their lack of resources in Chinese learning, esp. at home. Just think of yourself, when you have Chinese homework you don't know how to do back in primary school, have you ever asked your family members to teach you? Then you see how helpless the non-Chinese students are when following the 'Cantonese as Mother Tongue Chinese courses'. It is not to force them to learn Chinese, just to help them learn it IF and WHEN THEY WANT TO. Unlike the rude Hevangel suggested, we don't want 中文沙文主義 or anything like that, but to provide them with more choices.

Equality is the final aim, but it is clear that this aim can't be achieved immediately, at least not in one day. The problem in front of us is that, yes, most Indian parents in HK would prefer their children learn better English than Chinese, I don't see it as a problem. In fact, many of them speaks quite well English at the end of the day. However, even this group of parents don't really mind if their children learn Chinese. The difficulty now is only that their children would not be able to learn it well, without enough resources, and they can never follow the syllabus. I would say, even local Chinese students could get a 'U' (or better, just 'F') in HKCEE Chinese Language, how can you expect every single non-Chinese student to be able to catch up with this syllabus? I see the call for a 'subject' (or course) called 'Chinese Language as a Second Language' neccesary, to help them set up a goal, to let them start with learing Chinese and Cantonese. With all the adventages of setting up such a course, I see no reason to reject this 'standard setting' approach for the meantime. In the long run, we surely hope that things get better and equality can finally be seen in HK, but to let more people learn our language, our cultures, why not? Just to start with, give them more help!!!!!!

One major problem I see is the lack of respect for other people culture and langauge.

When I'm with my Southern Asians friends, I have to speak English because I lack Nepalnese and Hindu language skills. And that is the attitude I have when I interact with people of other races.

To put your dialect (Cantonese) above other people language is just a form of racist behavior. I see that in Frostig and it disgusted me. I see that in Fermi, the racist director of UNION and I want so much to vomit.

No one need to learn Cantonese if they are not Cantonese or are Cantonese but have no interest in the dialect.

Having well designed CSL course is a must for those CMS schools that have taken in NCS students. But that is not the solution, just part of required assistance of a situation created by EMB.

都白痴唔過你。多謝賞面﹗

覺得中文(或廣東話)不夠好是我的印度裔本地朋友自己說的。我沒有要求誰去學中文﹐只是他們自己覺得不會中文是一個缺點﹐希望能講或者寫。
我問過其中一些印裔朋友﹐得到的答案是﹐如果可以再選一次﹐希望自小會學好廣東話﹐就算不學寫中文也要講得流利。

我們只是希望可以提供多一個選擇給他們﹐讓他們有一個比較容易的'入門'課程﹐把屏障降低。

嚇了我一跳，XOX竟然說在香港，要非華裔學中文是種族主義！不過，多年的殖民地教育，確令得很多香港人鄙視中文。

在中國生活便應懂點中文，在泰國生活便應懂點泰文，這是尊重當地文化之餘亦方便自己生活。

英文是國際語言，我們與旅客用英語溝通不是問題。但若長住香港，若然不懂中文，便是擺明車馬不欲與本地基層人士溝通。究竟是誰歧視誰？

1. 南亞裔人士對語文的態度，是開放而不是像華人社會般功利。他們是不介意學中文，看新加坡經驗便知，新加坡有一票印度人，本身在學校讀中文，亦能聽講流利華語。但他們學中文，也不是為了更好的工作，反而更為生活著眼。不懂中文，主要對他們的麻煩是很難交朋友，或者生活上有很多不便。

2. 南亞裔也不是不想讀grammar school，不過，他們對考試這門事，特別在童年沒有那麼關心倒是真，相反，如果多搞多族裔足球賽、木球賽之類，營造學習中文的語境可能更為有效。

3. 我反而重視怎樣保育南亞裔獨有文化，例如淡米爾語，香港的淡米爾語工作很不足，以為南亞裔一定講英文，但其實他們也有本來的文字，以及語文，現時很多淡米爾語報紙或內容，他們都要在印度或新加坡入口，不像新加坡，有淡米爾語的電台、電視台和報章。但大家看這個問題是，有沒有看到香港淡米爾語工作等於零？

4. 講來講去，香港人真正問題是，太以本身英國+嶺南混種文化為中心，其他不是這系統都排斥於外。其實很多印度人懂講廣東話，世代以香港為家，但何故香港人總是把他們當作legal alien？我自己還算半個少數族裔成員(至少法律上)是，這個課題，香港人實在有排惡補。

有空聽一聽，Sting的Englishman in New York。

Schools Admitting Greater Number of Non-Chinese Speaking Children:

Primary School -Government

Sir Ellis Kadoorie (Sookunpo) Primary School
Wan Chai

Li Cheng Uk Government School
Sham Shui Po

Primary School - Aided

Yaumati Kaifong Association School
Yaumati

Islamic Primary School
Tuen Mun

Hong Kong Taoist Association School
Kwun Tong

Man Kiu Association Primary School
Kwun Tong

Li Sing Tai Hang School
Wan Chai

Primary Schools - Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS)

PLK Camoes Tan Siu Lin Primary School
Yaumati

The above is the list of all the NCS schools, that have Southern Asian Teaching Aids that speak at least two of the common language.

How it works? The teaching aid act as the translator in class, so that students who don't speak English or Chinese could at least know what going on in class.

These schools are packed. They also have to try and accept students who tried at CMI schools but failed because all but English textbooks are in Chinese, a language that or their parents could not read or write.

What so special about these schools? Well, they know enough about the different cultural practice to know at lunch, students who could eat pork should not share their lunch with students who are from Islamic background. And students should not share any meat with Indian students who are also vegetarians.

Little thing like this helps to create an environment that parents feel more comfortable sending their children to. Also, communication to parents are not only in English but in Hindi, and they have teaching assistance that could answer parents enquiries.

Now, look at the distribution of these schools. Most of them are located at Yamati, Wanchai and Kwun Tong.

Students who lived in NT. have to travel a long way just to go to schools.

The lack of understanding is not only from the general public, but from the EMB as well. Request of opening up more classed in NT schools so that there would be classes accommudating Ethnic Minorities students have be ignored.

And the PTU only advocate for Chinese language curriculum for NCS students in CMI schools, ignoring all the other needs for these students.

The above post is just ranting from a racist.

Yes, if possible, children from Africans should be allowed to learn in a classroom with at least one African speaking teaching assistance.

That is what other countries do for us Chinese.

Chinese are allowed to go to biligual schools in a lot of countries, even those Chinese are the Ethnic minorities of these countries.

Why couldn't a Chinese dominated society do the same for our Ethnic minorities?

把兒女送回老家讀書的有兩類人，一是希望兒女學習自身文化的，一是希望老家親人照料幫忙照顧兒女的。後者多是迫於無奈，兒女稍大一點回港變成了不會廣東話又不會英文的青少年。據新聞報導，這批青少年是最孤立無助的。

我們解釋了為何不能用少數族裔語言授課後，XOX一句"racist"之後，改為建議聘請懂小數族裔語言的助教。聘請助教是校長的權力範圍，學校真要做的話現在也可以。

離題太遠了，我們是在討論是否應為小數族裔提供度身討造的中文課程。我認為應該提供『中文（廣東語）作為第二語言』的課程及評估試，但目標是所有希望學中文的新移民，頂多給與有經濟困難的人資助－－就如加拿大的ｅｓｌ課程一樣。

There IS bilingual education for non-English native speakers in American public schools. I was considering to become a bilingual science teacher in New York for awhile. Such program is subjected to controversies itself, but it DOES EXIST.

究竟是怎樣的雙語教學？

是一個科目在堂上同時以雙語授課？（近以混合語言教學）

是一個科目分開兩堂，各以不同語言授課，學生可任擇其一？

是一個科目分開兩堂，各以不同語言授課，學生兩者都要修讀？（註：本人小學時，要同時修讀中文數學及英文數學）

請問知否這些課程最高是多少年級？小學，初中，高中，大專？

某程度，這個雙語課程面對着類似香港中中面對的疑難。

The main point is to give them REAL choices.

Like what I said in my paper (Multiculturalism in Hong Kong), there is no way and useless forcing everybody to learn Cantonese and Chinese, but also we should help those who want to learn.

Now, our suggestion (CSL - Chinese/Cantonese as Second Language syllabus) (should be the author's suggestion, in fact) is to provide the students with a better choice when they want to start to learn our language.

A local Indian friend of mine has even asked me to teach her Mandarin, and I said yes. When they are interested, HELP is needed. They can't learn by themselves, given that they have much worse language environment than local Chinese children.

I have to say that your above comment was very tiring for people to read through and a bit difficult to understand because of the language. I mean, the mistakes have already been too serious that some of your sentences have become confusing and sometimes even misleading......

I am not to complain about your English standard by the way, but can you use simpler, shorter sentences with less mistakes or to type in Chinese (or it could be French for me, if you prefer) if your Chinese (or French, for instance)is better? I mean, as it is just too difficult to read through your comment and to easily understand it well, it is hard to discuss with you.

Than you for your understanding! :-)

Some times small sentence can make people understand. Clever people. read it. dont do what you has done to the bill. you didnt read the full bill so please read my full post. thanks in advance

First . Frostig I CHNAGE my English to other form, which simply you can understand and the friend XOX, ok the reality is if you think that my English is not good, then please start a protest here or where ever you want. When some one cant reply the question which I had asked, these are the excuses often seen from the people who don’t have a word to respond, I hope you understand, I want know are you French? I see please don’t make us laugh,jipsy it’s just a discussion, so I don’t think that I have to write a proposal to you, to let you understand, first answer my questions to defend yourself and you little organization in where you are not clear enough of your role.

Secondly Mr. XoX it also show that you not far clever then you little friend frostig.

Quote By XoX(The only complaint I have is for the stupid Fermi who took the mic for more than half an hour speaking in Cantonese when most of the protestors obviously are not Chinese.) Quote
Firstly you are not using a respected way to raise you opinion,
Of you feel like that why you don’t go and tell her, no need to back bit her. ‘
She didn’t give the long speech in Chinese; you know why she was using Chinese. Think twice why before point any body when there are 3 fingers on your self.

She used Chinese because many of the Chinese don’t know what exactly is written in the bill just like both of you Mr.XoX and I know Mrs. Frostig, I’m sure both of you are still sleeping
Further more. Mr. XoX you are mentioning (HER GOD) did you know which Lord Muslim believe and which lord do christens believe, its same Lord my friend,the only one god. so you point is meaningless, if any body is praying his/her god in front of others it doesn’t mean what you had mention, (MISLEADING) I’m quite sure, also I think you forgot to see that Muslims also pray to their lord so does that also misleaded you and Fermi, and for your last ridiculous Fabrication, Your Quote(Don't get me wrong. Union is doing something good, and there were Cantonese speaking Ethnic Minorities there who could do a much better job than Fermi. She just like to be in the spot like and take advantage of the situation. ) Quote

That she want the spot, my friend. Can you please give me the names of the the E.M who you think is better and they are feeling they are not given the chances by Fermi, if you have soo many problems why don’t you and you little friend forstig organize one march like which Fermi organize to show that you and your organization is better and have more guts then Fermi and can also call all the E.M leaders then I will appreciate you a lot I also participated and my friends also, Non of the E.M have any objection on what Fermi is doing or had done on that day you had mention Muslims was there also, so didn’t they feel like you I m sure they didn’t.
I am sure why frostig is writing like this, because you can never be like her.
And I also know who you are, my friend before I tell you organization name here that will make embarrass, that how bad you are. I had attended your meetings also.

So you know that (Big never fly’s) had you hear that idiom.

I hope you can understand my English. One more opinion for you I hope you can have a open debate with Fermi on the battle field. You and your little friends

Quote :(Chinese as second language) courses for children, that is just a minor part of it.Quote)
Buddy What you are saying it’s a minor part,EMB had added a expamtion that if a school etc dont provide any support to E.M its not a form of discrimination. and that is the problem in which way its minor part, go out and see, can E.M use English to find a job, it’s the major problem from Indian to Pakistan to Nepalese all are saying this, and you are saying it’s a minor problem. Chinese is a hard language to learn, but doesn’t mean don’t have to learn E.M children can never be the same level as local Chinese is, if there is no support they will be for ever the same. That is not a minor part. It’s a major issue. For your point of view it’s minor only if you are E.M you won’t feel like that. If Chinese can be set up to second language for E.M it will be far better then teaching them in English. EMB do have courses in Chinese for E, M but these courses are useless these courses should be in same in every school not different.

Now part of the problem in the exemption only few points have to be corrected, but for language, in the language ordinance written clearly, English can be use if there is a need. But it was vise versa, before 1997 so if Fermi used Chinese to tell Chinese there is no problem, should she also use SOHILI if there is no need. So you mean is she speak Chinese and it’s a form of indirect discrimination then I want to know she indirectly discriminated to who ?
Want to know you join, that mean you agree with her or not. I am sure you agree with Fermi that why you join right. If you don’t agree totally why you join .

Both of your view don’t reflect E.M problem and agreement its all your own useless fabrications and thought. All the E.M leaders agreed with Fermi that the point they agree with her. That already enough, your view can be agreeable if there is E.M leaders supports not the local teachers and some parents only

Do you realise how you are applying double standards here? Hong Kong is no longer a British colony and Hong Kong is a Cantonese-speaking city.

Helping Ethnic minorities who don’t speak Cantonese to learn the language DOES NOT have anything to do with any form of racial discrimination. And it is certainly not racist! I CANNOT see how that is racist! And perhaps it is you who are racist to think it’s pointless to learn Chinese to communicate with the majority of the HK population. It is just logical to expect people who’ve made Hong Kong their home and want to be accepted by society to speak Cantonese to communicate.

If you didn’t speak English and you were immigrating to an English speaking country, wouldn’t you learn English? Would you expect to be accepted with no knowledge of the English language? And would you expect that you could go on to higher education and find a decent job if you couldn’t even communicate? Would you refuse to learn to speak English and argue that it’s your right to choose NOT to speak English because you’re not a native English speaker?

I’m simply trying to point out the double standard aspect in your argument which to me sounds so ridiculously unfair and colonialist.

I’ve met people who have lived in the U.K for 30 odd years and still struggle to construct a simple sentence in English. I think it’s a disgrace when people don’t even bother learning the host population’s language. It’s disrespectful to think learning Chinese is unnecessary because of some superiority complex that was forced upon us (East Asians, South Asians etc) by Western colonialists.

If I moved to India or indeed to any other countries I would NOT expect people to speak to me in English just because English is widely spoken by people from many countries. I would do my best to learn to speak their languages so that I could communicate with people, integrate into the society and not be left out and still be complaining about people not taking me seriously.

So if your answer to my question above is that you would insist upon speaking NO English if you lived in an English speaking country, then you have a point.

But if you think that you would speak English if you lived in an English speaking country, for example, the U.K. even though you aren’t a white native British person, then you are simply a hypocrite!

If you live in the U.K and don’t speak English, you would not be able to get a place at university or find a job. So what is the difference between that and the Hong Kong government encouraging our ethnic minorities to learn Chinese? You cannot expect people to accept you if you don’t even make an effort to learn their language to communicate in order to integrate into the society. Just think how you would feel if it was happening the other way round.

I am aware of the racism against non-Chinese from some ignorant Hong Kong Chinese but I don’t think it’s the majority and I am proud to say I’m not one of them. I feel ashamed that there is such unfairness in a modern, progressive place like HK.

I have witnessed discrimination against certain ethnic minority groups in Hong Kong and I have relatives who’ve made ignorant remarks about Non-Chinese people and I often confront them. I get very angry when I hear these comments because it is simply unacceptable to judge people by their colours, ethnicity, or social backgrounds. This ignorance’s mainly due to the lack of social education and understanding of our history and culture. Because many Indians have been in Hong Kong for generations, they have made contributions to our society, and many of them do speak the language, yet sometimes you can still find Chinese who would compliment on how good a Hong Kong Indian’s Cantonese is. I feel embarrassed when I witness that. Of course they speak it cos they’re from Hong Kong.

Yet in this day and age, it is rather racist, brainwashed and ignorant to think it is acceptable to speak only English and no Chinese to announce and signify your “upper-classness”. You are just incredibly prejudiced. Do you seriously think that we would’ve looked down on the importance of our Asian languages if we’d never been influenced by Western imperialist and colonialist powers who distorted our values by force?

// (i am ticked off by that we only ask south asian to speak cantonese to they can fit in with us while many around us trying to learn english just to be "international" while the white people are like sitting there, segregate themseleves and make us to go their way. wtf.) //

Actually, your comments on Caucasian is not true. You wrongly assume all Caucasian speak only English. Most Caucasian in European countries know a few foreign languages, including English, other than their mother tongue.

In Canada, as well as UK (I think), students are required to learn a second language in school. Only the arrogant Americans refuse to learn other languages. In fact, the above comment is not totally true. Being an immigrant country, most 2nd generation American knows the language of their parents. Learning a second or third language is quite common in American middle class nowadays, only the lower class or the Southerners in the Bible belt speaks only English.