LING2058 Topics in Cantonese Linguistics

Prof. Stephen Matthews

Advanced Course. Sem 1, 6 credits

Course Description

This course focuses on distinctive aspects of the Cantonese language as spoken in Hong Kong. The language will be viewed in its areal and historical context. Grammatical topics will include parts of speech in Cantonese, verbal aspect, noun classifiers, and sentence-final particles, with a particular focus on aspects of syntax which diverge from written Chinese and Putonghua such as dative, passive and comparative constructions. Topics of sociolinguistic interest such as the use of Cantonese as a written language, ‘lazy pronunciation’ and the growth of ‘trendy language’ will also be addressed.

Course Details

Assessment:
100% coursework

Textbook:
All reading can be found on the HKU Moodle

Internet links:
We will explore internet links together as the course moves along

Course Timeslots (1)

FRI
9:30 am - 11:20 am
CPD-2.42