Where does the term 'Cantonese' come from? Canton is a corrupt pronunciation of Kwang-tung (now Pinyinised as Guangdong). The provincial capital, Kwang-chow Fu, (now rendered Guangzhou), became known as Canton.
Cantonese people, language and culture predominate in this part of China. More than 80 per cent of the Hong Kong population speak Cantonese as a first language. But what defines a Cantonese? Sometimes referred to as boon dei - often transliterated as Punti - meaning 'local or native', in essence, a Cantonese person speaks the dialect of the same name.
Cantonese - sometimes referred to as baak wah or 'plain speech', as distinct from mun ween or 'literary speech' - is spoken by an estimated 60 million people in southern China, Southeast Asia and other parts of the world.
Hong Kong films, television and popular culture have been embraced by Chinese communities all over the world, which means Cantonese is widely understood - if not universally spoken - from Melbourne to London Chinatowns.
During the past century the language has undergone numerous changes. Hong Kong Cantonese speakers often comment that small-town Malaysians sound a bit like their grandparents, or actors in an old film; expressions now considered archaic in Hong Kong are still commonplace there.
Newcomers to Hong Kong immediately notice just how loudly Cantonese people speak; for generations northern Chinese have remarked sharply upon rowdy southerners. Northerners also frequently comment on how uncouth Cantonese speech can be. Anyone familiar with the language knows how picturesque and fruity Cantonese chou hau (foul language) is.