Origins and Influences
The promotion of "proper" Cantonese pronunciation is partly a reaction to the so-called "lazy sound" (懶音 laan5 jam1) adopted by the younger generations. The "lazy" pronunciations, or sound changes include:
- merge of initial n- and l-, for example, pronouncing 男 (naam4) as 藍 (laam4)
- merge of initial ng- and dark-toned null/glottal onsets, for example, pronouncing 愛 (oi3) as ngoi3
- loss of initial ng- on light-toned words, for example, pronouncing 我 (ngo5) as o5
- omission of the labialisation -w- of gw- or kw-, for example, pronouncing 國 (gwok3) as 角 (gok3)
- confusing the final consonants -k and -t, for example, pronouncing 塞 (sak1) as sat1.
- confusing the final consonants -n and -ng, for example, pronouncing 冷 (laang5) as 懶 (laan5)
- confusing the vowelized consonants m and ng, for example, pronouncing 吳 (ng4) as 唔 (m)
TV and radio programs, including game shows, have been made to promote the proper pronunciation. The campaign has also influenced the local media. Some news reporters and masters of ceremonies in Hong Kong have adopted the "proper" pronunciations.
Read more about this topic: Proper Cantonese Pronunciation
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“Lucretius
Sings his great theory of natural origins and of wise conduct; Plato
smiling carves dreams, bright cells
Of incorruptible wax to hive the Greek honey.”
—Robinson Jeffers (1887–1962)
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