Language in Hong Kong at Century's End

Front Matter

lANGUAGE฀ in HON G KON G at CENTURY'S EN D This book is dedicated t o the memory of John Balla, a contributor to the present volume and an inspirational figure who influence d many of the other contributors on both a personal and professiona l level during his years at City University of Hong Kong and continuing during his tenure at the University of Sydney. Whether i n his role as department head, sportsman, statistician , child-manager, or research team member, John gave his all in the many endeavours with which he filled his life, enriching all those with whom he came into contact. I especially will miss John, whom I had the good fortune o f knowing not only as a co-researcher and co-author over several years, but also as a valued friend . Martha C. Penningto n i LANGUAGE฀ in HONG KON G at CENTURY'S END Edited by Martha C. Pennington # * * , # t aI R »t HONG KON G UNIVERSIT Y PRES S Hong Kong University Pres s 14/F, HingWai Centr e 7 Tin Wan Praya Roa d Aberdeen, Hong Kon g© Hong Kong University Press 1998 First Edition 1998 Reprinted 2001 , 2003, 2004 ISBN 962 209 418 X All rights reserved. No portion of this publication ma y be reproduced o r transmitted in any form o r by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording , or any information storag e or retrieval system, without prio r permission in writing from th e Publishe r Photographs on the front cove r are published by courtes y of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Governmen t Secure On-lin e Orderin g http: / / www.hkupress.org Printed and bound by ColorPrint Production Company in Hong Kong, China ...