Is Cantonese going the way of the Dodo, even in Hong Kong?
Last night I watched what I would define as a Hong Kong movie. The director was from Hong Kong, the studio was based in Hong Kong, it was shot on the streets of Hong Kong featuring events taking place in Hong Kong. Over half of the actors, however, were not from Hong Kong. In every scene in the movie, people were speaking both Cantonese and Mandarin, to each another. Not matter what soundtrack I chose, half of the actors in any given scene were being dubbed in a foreign language. This is not good, not at all. It was ludricious in scenes where the leads were speaking to one another in their native languages. I don't want to hear dubbing when I select Cantonese in a Hong Kong movie, I want to hear the actors themselves speaking Cantonese! Hong Kong actors are expected to speak in Mandarin in Taiwanese and Mainland films, why not return the favor? Oh yeah, so it is harder for Mandarin speakers to speak Cantonese? Has anyone noticed Andy Lau's atroscious accent in Mandarin (or Tony Leung Chiu Wai's) or any of a dozen of HK actors? If they can butcher Mandarin, why can't Mandarin speakers butcher Cantonese?
When I hear a native speaker wrap Cantonese around their tongue, it is music to my ears. Mandarin will never sound like this, not in a million years. I just hope I will always be able to hear Cantonese in entertainment that is "Made in Hong Kong". If I want to hear Mandarin, I know where to look for it.
In Memoriam Leslie Cheung 1956-2003 Our Leslie, beautiful like a flower. I love you today and always-- a part of my heart beats for you alone, tonight a