New | Word power: Dictionary helps Hongkongers define their identity
Oxford English Dictionary spells out uniqueness of city’s ‘native inhabitants’
Hongkongers are finally being recognised on the world stage.
The description of “Hongkonger” and “Hongkongese” has been added to the Oxford English Dictionary in its latest quarterly update, while “Hong Kong Chinese” has been included as a new sub-entry.
The move by its publisher Oxford University Press comes amid growing anti-mainland sentiment in the city with concern groups protesting to urge the government to curb mainland visitors.
“The inclusion of ‘Hongkonger’ and ‘Hongkongese’ to the dictionary is definitely prompted by the city’s ‘anti-mainlandisation’ campaign which has raised international attention over the past years,” said Civic Party lawmaker Claudia Mo Man-ching, who is also a leader of local advocacy group “Hong Kong First”.
“We are trying to differentiate ourselves from mainlanders – not just the people are different, but also our cultural spirit and political identity,” she added.
Neither “Hongkonger” nor “Hongkongese” are widely accepted in the international English community, she said, but their new entrance to the Oxford dictionary will popularise the words and help Hong Kong build its unique identity.
Cultural critic Perry Lam Pui-li said that the dictionary may have decided to officially endorse the words “Hongkonger” and “Hongkongese” at this time due to the escalating conflicts between Hong Kong and mainland China.