Hello,
Sheng Jiong wrote:
All serious newspapers in Hong Kong write in Chinese that can be universally understood by everybody who knows Chinese.
http://trading-edge.tripod.com/cgi-bin/Tsoi/u_diary.cgi
I think this is the best example of something in a serious paper written with Cantonese. Cho Yan Chiu (sp?) is the managing editor (I think) of the Hong Kong Economic Journal, one of the most respected newspapers in Hong Kong. It's a "quirk" of his to write in Cantonese when he wants to make a point. But what it does say is that you can definitely write about serious subjects in Cantonese.
Extrememly few Hong Kongers have ever come across with materials that are entirely written in Cantonese written language, if there is ever such a thing.
And you presume to speak for all of us HKers? I assume from your claim about books from all over the world that you've been to Hong Kong, but have you live there? How many HKers have you talked to? And did you demand that they speak Mandarin and/or write in baihuawen for your benefit when you talk to them?
No guidelines have been introduced or widely accepted by the general public on writing in Cantonese language.
I would discourage anyone to make such wide-swept statements without any substantial proof.
All Hong Kong students(except those who choose to learn English as their first language) learn to write in the standard Chinese in schools.
And you suddenly become the expert in the HK education system...when?
little Alex