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Article published In: Language Problems and Language Planning
Vol. 41:2 (2017) ► pp.159–167

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Linguistic capital

Language medium of instruction policy in Hong Kong

 | University of Toronto
 | University of Toronto
Published online: 27 October 2017
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/lplp.41.2.05har
Abstract
This article discusses the effects of Hong Kong’s language policy changes in education since China reclaimed the territory in 1997. It describes Hong Kongers’ perceptions of English and their mother tongue Cantonese, and considers the effects of the Cantonese medium of instruction (CMI) policy, which was introduced to promote biliteracy and trilingualism
among Hong Kongers. The analysis shows that even though CMI results in deeper learning in Hong Kong students, the strength and status of English as the lingua franca in the territory remains strong, and access to the linguistic capital English brings remains restricted to those with financial capital to afford it.
摘要
香港語文教育政策與語言資本的關係
本文討論香港語文教育政策於一九九七年中國收回香港主權後的變化，並且描述香港人對英語及其母語—廣東話—的感知。另外，本文研究母語教學作為實踐香港特區政府積極推廣的「兩文三語」政策1的影響。研究結果顯示母語教學能幫助香港學生更深入了解學習內容，但英語作為商務及社交通用語的地位及影響力在香港商界仍然鞏固。這個情況顯示，英語所賦予其使用者的語言資本只限於擁有金融或學術資本的人士享有。
Resumo
Lingva kapitalo: Politiko pri lingvo kiel instruperilo en Honkongo
La artikolo pritraktas la efikon de lingvopolitikaj ŝanĝoj rilate al edukado en Honkongo depost reakiro de la teritorio fare de Ĉinio en 1997. Ĝi priskribas la perceptojn de honkonganoj pri la angla lingvo kaj ilia denaska lingvo, la kantona. kaj konsideras la efikojn de la kantonlingva edukperila (KLEP) politiko, kiun oni enkondukis por apogi dulingvan skrib- kaj legkapablon kaj ankaŭ trilingvismon inter honkonganoj. La analizo montras, ke, kvankam KLEP produktas pli profundan lernadon ĉe honkongaj lernantoj, la forto kaj statuso de la angla kiel interlingvo en la teritorio restas firmaj, kaj aliro al la lingva kapitalo alportata de la angla restas limigita al tiuj kiuj havas la financan kapitalon por ekspluati ĝin.
Article outline
  • The promotion of trilingualism
  • Policy politics
    • A divided system
    • Linguistic capital and the lingua franca
  • Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
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