Sidney Lau
Encyclopedia
Sidney Lau wrote a series of textbooks in the 1970s, for teaching western
people to speak Cantonese
. The textbooks were initially used for teaching western expatriates working in the Hong Kong Police Force
and other government bodies. Later the texts were used as a basis for a radio teaching programme for foreigners.
They introduced Lau's own romanisation system
which differs from the Yale system by using superscripted numbers and symbols to indicate the word tones.
Despite their age, the books are still very popular being one of the few comprehensive books teaching spoken Cantonese (as opposed to written Chinese and spoken Mandarin
, which are significantly different).
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
people to speak Cantonese
Standard Cantonese
Cantonese, or Standard Cantonese, is a language that originated in the vicinity of Canton in southern China, and is often regarded as the prestige dialect of Yue Chinese....
. The textbooks were initially used for teaching western expatriates working in the Hong Kong Police Force
Hong Kong Police Force
The Hong Kong Police Force is the largest disciplined service under the Security Bureau of Hong Kong. It is the world's second, and Asia's first, police agency to operate with a modern policing system. It was formed on 1 May 1844, with a strength of 32 officers...
and other government bodies. Later the texts were used as a basis for a radio teaching programme for foreigners.
They introduced Lau's own romanisation system
Sidney Lau romanisation
Sidney Lau is a system of romanisation for Cantonese, developed by Sidney Lau for teaching Cantonese. It was developed for use in Cantonese radio, and is essentially an adaptation of the Meyer-Wempe romanisation.-Initials :- Finals :-Tones:...
which differs from the Yale system by using superscripted numbers and symbols to indicate the word tones.
Despite their age, the books are still very popular being one of the few comprehensive books teaching spoken Cantonese (as opposed to written Chinese and spoken Mandarin
Standard Chinese
Standard Chinese, or Modern Standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin or Putonghua, is the official language of the People's Republic of China and Republic of China , and is one of the four official languages of Singapore....
, which are significantly different).