Bonjour to a Minority Language in Hong Kong: French
The University of Hong Kong
School of English
Why French?
Normally when the term "ethnic minority" is used in Hong Kong, most people would correlate it with Southeast Asian, low economical power, and low social status. Yet, how many would think of a European community, let alone the prestigious French?
We chose the French people in Hong Kong as our research target because the community does not fit into the stereotypical "minority" glove. However, does that mean they face no difficulties as an immigrant at the other side of the world with completely different cultures, languages, and cuisines?
With around 18,000 - 20,000 living in Hong Kong, the French community has increased by 5% over the last five years and there are roughly 800 French companies operating in Hong Kong. With such a substantial number, we would like to delve into how the French find Hong Kong in terms of fitting into the society, and dealing with linguistic barriers, and cultural differences.
Moreover, French is also a popular langauge to learn, and we would like to know more about why this is the case, and whether this popularity helps the French community feel more at ease in Hong Kong.
Research Method
To have a more comprehensive view of our interviewees' feelings and thoughts, we have decided to use interviewing as a qualitative research method. Interviews can capture both verbal and non verbal cues of our interviewees, while indicating a degree of enthusiasm through body language.
Being an open ended reserach method, inteviewees can express themselves in anyway they want without being bound to selecting answers from a survey. The proximity also allows us to build a relationship with our interviewees and that can increase mutual understanding and create a more relaxed atmosphere. Through interviews, abstract factors like attitudes, feelings and opinons can be evaluated and analysed, creating a more in-depth understanding.
Aims of Project
Through this project, we hope to find out more about whether the status of a language will help put its people in an advantage after immigration. As a country with a long history of art, culinary, and linguistic heritage, France has a high position in the heart of most. However, as the French move to a new place, has this status remained? We hope to find out more about the French identity in Hong Kong, and whether they feel Hong Kong is a comfortable environment for the French people.
We also hope to raise awareness of this European minority in Hong Kong, and further reinstate that Hong Kong is a very diverse city which can truly be called a linguistic and cultural melting pot.