RTHK Naked Cantonese

[Raiqi]

I don't agree with your earlier comments so for me its a happy occasion. tangents enrich my life.

[dean-dzai]

I don't agree with your earlier comments so for me its a happy occasion. tangents enrich my life.

Tangents enrich my life also, but not unnecessarily my Cantonese. There is always room for improvement, as a second language learner of Cantonese I want to be more serious then entertained. I am quite happy for what is produced and the arguments stands against me; "then go to University". So I appreciate what I have for free.

[Pekkerhead]

I don't agree with your earlier comments so for me its a happy occasion. tangents enrich my life.

Horses for courses.

Whatever does it for you. If you find them useful then more power to you. For me, they are a little basic, which is why I find the tangents a bit annoying, they seem to occur just as the stuff is getting interesting and useful (for me).

At least you are making the effort to learn which is more than most people.

[dean-dzai]

At least you are making the effort to learn which is more than most people.

Amen. This is a good statement. I guess not everyone can pump out material like chinesepod.com at Newbie, Elementary, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, AND Advanced levels. If it were to be done in Hong Kong for Cantonese, it would be by maybe a group of professors from Chinese University (for example). Alongside their podcasts they would (probably) offer additional classes etc as a business. I have friends in Hong Kong learning Mandarin, paying Chinesepod in Shanghai. Pretty good way of bringing in revenue from around Southern China for Cantonese Learners (hint hint).

[trickyt]

I am happy that the girls are back. I am downloading the latest batch of lessons now. My cantonese has improved alot due to these pod casts.

[Pekkerhead]

For those interested in Cecilia's unique sense of humour, check out her blog.

China Droll

So now your life can be enriched in a whole new way.

[namaste]

If there were more options out there, it would be great. I find their radio program entertaining. I like how they go off on side tangents sometimes and the interactions that they have with native speakers. I say kudos to them for getting out there and making it happen.

[dean-dzai]

I think criticism comes from frustration at the lack of Cantonese material out there - so those of us learning would love to see something like what we have not seen for Cantonese. This podcast already is that, but it is just hard to compare it to lessons which are much more available in Mandarin.

Pimsleur's Cantonese for example, the equivalent in Mandarin has three times the material!! It's just frustrating.

[namaste]

I couldn't agree more. I find learning Cantonese very frustrating - due to limited material, courses and the lack of willingness of people who support it. When I speak in Cantonese to people, they will applaude me and say "Neih hou lek" but then they want to know why I am learning Cantonese and not mandarin! My daughter recently started learning Mandarin a a Kumon centre and I am studying alongside her. I find that learning Mandarin is actually helping my Cantonese along as well.

[dean-dzai]

I couldn't agree more. I find learning Cantonese very frustrating - due to limited material, courses and the lack of willingness of people who support it. When I speak in Cantonese to people, they will applaude me and say "Neih hou lek"

Which I usually reply by telling them "ngo mn hou lek" and try and continue with my limited Cantonese. And when in Hong Kong would I use Putonghua? Useless (unless we've got friends from mainland or do business in Shenzhen).

Here is something else to throw in for conversation. Some of my friends are offended but I think Guangzhou is a better place to learn Cantonese then Hong Kong. In Guangzhou the local people know less English to try and engage you in, plus less HK slangs.

For example, in Hong Kong in a taxi it is hard not to use English, in Shenzhen Putonghua or a card with where you are going is necessary (Cantonese useless), but Guangzhou I can use Cantonese even to taxi drivers - no problem *yay*.