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Once deemed the "barren rock" that would "never be a mart for trade", Hong Kong transformed itself into the goose that laid the golden eggs. But we must not let this "exceptionalism" cloud our views of ourselves and the world.
Opinion
Alice Wu
Alice Wu

Hongkongers may be unique, but we're not better than others

Alice Wu says while a new dictionary entry befits our unique identity, Hong Kong is not so special that we can disregard the rules of civility

So, the words "Hongkonger" and "Hong Kongese" have now been added to the Oxford English Dictionary. That sounds like a big deal: it will help define identity not only for the 7 million people who live here, but also for the countless Hong Kong natives who have emigrated.

The very existence of these words proves the need for differentiation. This differentiation - most notably, perhaps, from mainland Chinese and the mainland - is what has excited people.

One "Hong Kongese" lawmaker says their inclusion was "definitely prompted by the city's 'anti-mainlandisation' campaign, which has raised international attention over the past years". This Pearl of the Orient and its inhabitants aren't going to settle for Hong Kong being just another Chinese city.

In fact, she makes it sound almost triumphant. The "campaign" seems to have been deemed successful now that the Oxford dictionary is recognising these words. It's as if we've been lifted off to some "ethnopolitical" (also an Oxford addition) stratosphere.

But there is more to the "Hong Kongese exceptionalism" than just "anti-mainlandisation". It isn't just a campaign. It's part of our history, part of who we are. Hong Kong wasn't just another British colony. Once deemed the "barren rock" that would "never be a mart for trade", Hong Kong transformed itself into the goose that laid the golden eggs. If this transformation isn't "exceptionalism" in its truest form, what is?

Nonetheless, there is need for thoughtful reflection. Have we arrived at a point where this "exceptionalism" is clouding our views of ourselves and the world?

Cultural critics were all over the Oxford inclusion; one believes that the differentiation will help define Hongkongers as "more civilised", and as people who "respect rule of law and enjoy freedom more" than, say, mainland Chinese. But how could calling mainland tourists "locusts" be considered "more civilised" behaviour?

In our quest to be different, to prove wrong those who say we will be "just another mainland city", have we forgotten that the freedoms we demand do not include the right to infringe others' freedoms? Dehumanising people based on their place of origin isn't a human right. Our right to free expression and assembly doesn't mean we can tell non-"Hongkongers" to go back to where they came from.

We may be different, different enough for the Oxford dictionary to give us a separate entry or two. We may be gravely concerned with being "hegemonised" (another new entry), but has our perceived uniqueness and fear made us vulnerable and unwise?

Words are powerful. When pride in being a "Hongkonger" and "Hong Kongese" becomes hubris, we must also remember these words by George Orwell, in : "But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought. A bad usage can spread by tradition and imitation even among people who should and do know better."

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: No exception
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