I'm a CBC and my Cantonese isn't great due to lack of use.  I can get by fine in restaurants and whenever I travel to Hong Kong, but truth be told I really need to improve on it.  What do you guys do to learn another language?

Over the years I've used a combination of language CDs (Pimsleur) and watching HK movies and TVB series on TV and DVD.  My reading and writing skills are almost non-existent at this point, but it's conversing that I want to become fluent in again just like when I was a child.  One of the tougher things for me is trying to understand a lot of Cantonese/HK slang.  A lot of the jokes in On His Majesty's Secret Service went over my head and I friend had to explain them.  Taking a Cantonese night course isn't possible at this time because of my work schedule, but I do know that that works.  Down the road I want to be able to read and write Cantonese again as well.

I don't want to be one of those guys where down the road when I eventually start a family that my kids won't know Cantonese because their father doesn't know it anymore.


This post has been brought to you by the random cutie who approached me on the street today and began speaking in Mandarin but I couldn't flirt back because of my poor Cantonese and Mandarin.  It was a real wake up call!

I feel you bro.  I can do a lot better on my canto as well.  For mandarin im using rosetta stone to try to brush up, but does anyone know a similar program for canto?

and dont know if you tried rosetta stone but it can help with the writing portion at least.

Find a Cantonese gf or join a Cantonese speaking organization

I learned Mandarin myself by doing both.

You have to find a Canto speaking or Mando speaking FOB gf who went over to Canada as an adult because by the time she is an adult she will be able to read, write, and speak the language very well.  

The best choice for you is to find a gf who immigrated from Guangzhou (Canton) or the neighboring areas to Canada as an adult.  The young generation in Guangzhou speak both Canto and Mando fluently with minimum provincial accents.

Second finding the Canto-speaking gf but also with friends - hanging out with people a lot who speak that language will cause you to learn a lot more slang and real-life words used on everyday basis.

TVB can help, but also your parents will be another good resource

I think music is a pretty good source in learning the language too. Because you can easily find canto songs lyrics online and try to follow and translate the meaning.

If you're gonna watch and learn from canto TV shows, I think you'll be better off watching talk shows instead of too much dramas. Some of the lines in the TVB dramas are just so corny and cheesy that people would give you a weird look if you use those lines in real life. Versus talk shows may be more natural. Also different canto news and documentaries along those lines would be quite helpful i think .

Like the other bros said, finding a gf who speaks canto or mando helps ALOT...

A friend of mine forced himself to only listen to Chinese songs. He'd memorize the lyrics and would hit up a karaoke every weekend (with or without WGs) and he'd sing and read the characters on screen then try to memorize it. He did that for both Canto and Mando and within a year, he's fluent in both and can even write/read Chinese! His Chinese was terrible at first and this is how he learned pretty much everything he knows now..

A good source in Canada is the Fairchild channel. There are many different types of programs on that can expand your diction. For example if you live in area that has a provider (BELL) that provides the same feed both in cantonese and Madarin, watch the news in Cantonese then catch the same episode in Mandarin a few hours later. If you are looking for slang, watch the game shows or TVB drama's. I know personally watching the TVB dramas has help me out out alot. If you don't subscribe to Fairchild channel, I believe the OMNI channel shows both cantonese and mandarin shows on the weekend from 1800 to 2000 MTD and then again around midnight I believe. I hope this helps you on your way bro!

[ Last edited by  Cndflyer at 27-4-2010 22:06 ]

there was a time in my life about 20 years ago when I wasn't quite so fluent in Cantonese.  My friend gave me a really good suggestion that fits beautifully with the way I study.  The way I study, and this works in math classes well, is to do the hardest problems first.

Anyhow he suggested I go watch a newcomer who was really making a name for himself on the big screen.  His name? Stephen Chow. I was hooked watching his films.  And got pretty fluent after a while, just watching his movies and using many of his lines.  So, a recommendation - watch his movies.  Not his newer ones, but his older ones, pre-1997.  Some of the best stuff you'll find.

I obtained my Cantonese speaking skills thanks to TVB and ATV series. Course after watching the series, you would try to speak to people in Cantonese as much as possible to practice. You could also try taking some courses in school as well.

Great suggestion with the Stephen Chow movies.  I loved the card gambling skit in one of his movies where he throws down "4 Aces" (Si Tiao Yin) with Cigarettes instead...

Playing MJ with Chinese speaking friends surely helped me.  

Rosetta Stone is supposed to be really good

I learned my cantonese and mandarin on the job.
they say necessity is the mother of invention.
Basically, when you put yourself into a situation where you are forced to learn, you will learn real quick.
that's very general of course, and you said you have a hectic work schedule.

I also learned to read thru KTV!!

It seems like you conversation skills in Cantonese is fine if you can order stuff in a restaurant.  Can you get around Hong Kong if you are lost by asking people questions ?  If yes, I would guess your Cantonese speaking skills are fine. Basic conversational skills are good enough in my opinion. I think you have it.

For reading and writing, why do you want to learn it ?  What are you going to use it for ?  You might just want to learn the basic and that's it. It will take years to learn how to read and write. It takes a longer time than learning English.

You might want to send your kids to a Cantonese school when they are little. They will hate you for it. Make sure  tell them way. It is their heritage.

I am sure your Mandarin skills are a lot worst. Can you order stuff in a resturant in Mandarin ? Can you walk in a hotel and ask for a room, like how much in Mandarin ?

I would suggest you learning Mandarin more if you want to flirt with more girls in China. In the end, it depends what are your goals.

[ Last edited by  Weelock at 29-4-2010 08:42 ]