HONG KONG - It would seem as if mainland Chinese fans of Hong Kong pop stars have embarked on an unofficial "Speak Mandarin" campaign at their idols' concerts lately, with entertainment reports closely documenting the celebrities' responses to such requests.
The latest to come under this language scrutiny is Heavenly King Jacky Cheung ahead of a recent concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum.
In a widely circulated video, Cheung, 62, is seen greeting his fans outside the concert venue.
One woman calls out in a hoarse, awestruck voice in Mandarin: "Can you speak more Mandarin at tonight's concert? I've come from far away and don't understand Cantonese." Cheung's simple and patient response- "Just learn it", delivered in Mandarin with a smile - is followed by loud cheers from the crowd.
News of the incident won him praise online, with Hong Kong news outlet HK01 describing his response as "gentle without losing swagger".
Like many Hong Kong stars who have broken into the Mandopop scene, Cheung speaks both languages well and switches depending on where he is - Cantonese in Hong Kong, Mandarin in Beijing and Taiwan, and a mixture of both in Singapore and Malaysia.
A fan asking for more Mandarin in a Cantonese-speaking territory puts their idol in an awkward spot, as Hong Kongers have grown fiercely protective of their native language amid Beijing's efforts to have 85 per cent of its citizens use Mandarin, the national language, by 2025.
The stars have to tread carefully so as not to offend anyone.
Savvy Leon Lai, who was born in Beijing but grew up in Hong Kong, was performing at the Hong Kong Coliseum in November when he was asked by a fan to use Mandarin.
"You all can understand Cantonese. I have confidence in you," he replied to thunderous applause from the audience.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 31, 2023 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 31, 2023 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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