Queen's Pier July 31 2007 (Dr Stephen Chan Ching-Kiu)

[dmoore008]

This matter is nothing to do with language skills or wishing to be British but about another public place in Hong Kong being sold to developers. It just so happen that this structure also has historical importance from the colonial period. These people feel the same about various communties, such as the Peel Street and Graham street areas to name but a few that have been chosen for redevelopment. This is a complex issue and nobody should make idle assumptions.

[tamyk007]

Just stupid action. Some Hong Kong Youngster or even old man are colonized and devoted to be British. They said to demolish the Pier means to break their dream of being a British citizen. That is why Education Department started the Civil Education in Hong Kong. I remember there had been a subject called Civics in Hong Kong around 1970.

[TokyoRoe]

This is the proof of the English level in Hong Kong is so pathetic. If the person is not capable to write and communicate in proper English, please seek help before posting.

Right on, the International city!

[tamyk007]

It is the problem with United States. Long Long ago, around 1960, the people are quite good in English. Why? At that time, pupils are educated to British standard.

[tcha0918]

A descriptive linguist would say tamyk007's English cannot be prescribed as bad or good, but as standard or non-standard. His syntax and grammar are heavily influenced by his first language(Cantonese). You can probably tell his English is very Cantonese-like - missing or misplaced articles and pronouns; Chinese sentence structure and cohesion. Speakers like him their English is a back-to-back/word-to-word translation of their first mother tongue.