It’s not census time in Canada, but one question has always been in my mind. What am I supposed to answer when they ask about my so-called “mother tongue?” Do I REALLY say that it’s Cantonese? Or should I say that it’s English? I feel like I’m lying either way, as I’m sure many children […]
The Lunar (Chinese) New Year starts on Friday, and for many of us, especially those who are lucky enough to have many relatives living in or near our hometown, it means dinners and celebrating with family. And if you have a big family, it means lots of uncles, aunts and cousins. And this can get […]
Non-Cantonese speakers are always asking me how to say “hello” in the language. The truth is, there isn’t really a way to do so. On the phone, one might say “wai?” but that’s not super-formal. And “nay ho” and even “nay ho mah” isn’t appropriate all the time, either (a little bit too stuffy). I […]
