Propaganda commercials produced by the Committee for the Promotion of Civil Education shown on television, stress the right of people from different countries to use their own languages. More than 98 per cent of Hong Kong people are ethnic Chinese. Many of them only speak and read Chinese and they are persistently deprived of the right to comprehend in their own language. It is not difficult to find that nearly all documents which have binding force and legal effect are all written in English. Terms and conditions of credit cards are in English. Sale and purchase agreements on properties are in English. Mortgage agreements and credit facility arrangements concluded with banks are all in English. If you are lucky to receive a Chinese translation, you will be able to find a very tiny printed note beneath the translation saying that the Chinese version serves as a translation only and if any discrepancies arise, the English shall prevail. I am glad to see that the Government is now going through the lengthy process of converting all the Hong Kong ordinances into Chinese and having all government forms, notices and announcements issued in both Chinese and English. It is time for the private sector to show more respect for the Chinese language. My understanding is that some corporations are taking advantage of others just because they do not know English. I believe written material should have a Chinese version. If both Chinese and English are available, then they should at least have equal footing or power, as I do not believe that one language should be privileged over the other. LUCERNE SAU Central
