A Dictionary of Hong Kong English
A Dictionary of Hong Kong English: Words from the Fragrant Harbor
Patrick J. Cummings
Hans-Georg Wolf
Copyright Date: 2011
Edition: 1
Published by: Hong Kong University Press
Pages: 300
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1xwddf
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Book Info
A Dictionary of Hong Kong English
Book Description:

This book is the first dictionary of Hong Kong English and one of the few non-native variety dictionaries of English. It includes only words and word senses that are particular to this variety or have a specific reference to Hong Kong; the dictionary thus contributes to legitimizing Hong Kong English as a variety in its own right. Although the main focus is on contemporary language use – from all domains of Hong Kong life –, historical terms and references are covered as well. Entries are designed according the state of the art in lexicography and show pronunciation, source language, frequency, authentic usage and cultural conceptualizations. As additional features, the dictionary provides a brief history of Hong Kong English, a list of acronyms and abbreviations, historical place names and their current equivalents, words of Hong Kong origin now in international use, as well as further reference material. There is an online reference section with further supporting material. Potential readership includes linguists interested in varieties of English (World Englishes), all Hongkongers using Hong Kong English (e.g., writers/journalists, government officials, teachers and students), tourists and business people.

eISBN: 978-988-8053-81-0
Subjects: Language & Literature
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Table of Contents
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  1. Front Matter
    Front Matter (pp. i-vi)
  2. Table of Contents
    Table of Contents (pp. vii-viii)
  3. Acknowledgements
    Acknowledgements (pp. ix-ix)
  4. Introduction
    Introduction (pp. x-xiii)

    This dictionary is the first of its kind, in more than one way. Despite the fact that established and identifiable second-language varieties of English exist around the world, respective variety-specific dictionaries are still rare. As to Hong Kong English (HKE), apart from short lists of HKE words (Bolton 2002), no other compendium of HKE vocabulary has so far been written.

    The exact status of HKE may still be a matter of debate among linguists and the informed public, yet what is indisputable is the unique character of HKE. This character has been shaped by Hong Kong’s (colonial) history, its socio-cultural...

  5. English in Hong Kong
    English in Hong Kong (pp. xiv-xviii)
  6. A Guide to Pronunciation
    A Guide to Pronunciation (pp. xix-xxi)
  7. References and Suggested Further Readings
    References and Suggested Further Readings (pp. xxii-xxiii)
  8. A Guide to Frequency
    A Guide to Frequency (pp. xxiv-xxv)
  9. Common Acronyms and Abbreviations
    Common Acronyms and Abbreviations (pp. xxvi-xxxii)
  10. Hong Kong English Dictionary
    • A
      A (pp. 1-8)
    • B
      B (pp. 9-18)
    • C
      C (pp. 19-44)
    • D
      D (pp. 45-50)
    • E
      E (pp. 51-52)
    • F
      F (pp. 53-60)
    • G
      G (pp. 61-70)
    • H
      H (pp. 71-82)
    • I
      I (pp. 83-84)
    • J
      J (pp. 85-90)
    • K
      K (pp. 91-100)
    • L
      L (pp. 101-110)
    • M
      M (pp. 111-120)
    • N
      N (pp. 121-124)
    • O
      O (pp. 125-128)
    • P
      P (pp. 129-140)
    • Q
      Q (pp. 141-142)
    • R
      R (pp. 143-148)
    • S
      S (pp. 149-166)
    • T
      T (pp. 167-180)
    • U
      U (pp. 181-182)
    • V
      V (pp. 183-184)
    • W
      W (pp. 185-192)
    • X
      X (pp. 193-194)
    • Y
      Y (pp. 195-200)
  11. Appendices
    • Cultural Conceptualizations
      Cultural Conceptualizations (pp. 203-205)
    • Name Changes in Hong Kong and Neighboring Asia
      Name Changes in Hong Kong and Neighboring Asia (pp. 206-216)
    • Hong Kong English Words Now Used Internationally
      Hong Kong English Words Now Used Internationally (pp. 217-220)
    • Sources for the Text Examples
      Sources for the Text Examples (pp. 221-276)
  12. Maps
    Maps (pp. 277-285)
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