The urgent need to preserve Cantonese

Yuki Lei

A local Portuguese-language media outlet reported numerous errors in Macau’s Portuguese language usage, with a commentator suggesting that the government is gradually placing less emphasis on the language, while societal concerns about the increasing prevalence of Cantonese culture in the region continue to grow.

Last year, a media outlet published a special report titled “What Language Do They Speak in Macau?” which noted that “Cantonese has a centuries-old history in Macau, with deep-rooted foundations, and serves as a vehicle for cultural transmission.”

However, this city, which officially recognizes Chinese and Portuguese as its languages, has witnessed heated debates about its linguistic boundaries, prompting the question highlighted in the report: “Does ‘Chinese’ refer to Cantonese, Mandarin, or other dialects?”

The latest data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), referenced in the report, indicates that while Cantonese remains the primary everyday language in Macau – used by 537,981 out of a total population of 663,782 aged 3 or older in 2021 – the number of Mandarin users has steadily increased, with 31,405 individuals using Mandarin as their daily language.

This trend is becoming increasingly noticeable, as local residents who use Cantonese daily, regardless of age, have remarked, “It’s become ubiquitous.”

Macau is distinctly recognized as an immigrant city, characterized by its unique immigration mechanisms and trends. In recent years, the region has focused on attracting high-skilled talent to bolster its tourism and gaming industries, primarily recruiting professionals from mainland China and abroad. Proposals have emerged to expedite immigration approval processes for “Macau expatriates,” particularly those who have worked in the region for many years.

As a result, a distinct “Macau expat” community has formed, composed of non-local high-income professionals working long-term in the city. Residents from Hong Kong, Macau, or overseas can apply for Macau’s “Residence Permit” through family reunification channels such as marriage.

Consequently, the city is a melting pot of languages, with Chinese dialects such as Cantonese, Mandarin, Min Nan, and Hakka circulating alongside Portuguese and English, as well as Southeast Asian languages including Thai, Filipino, Burmese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Khmer.

The status of Cantonese in Macau appears precarious. Shenzhen, part of the Cantonese-speaking Guangfu dialect group and similarly recognized as an immigrant city, has long prioritized Mandarin, leading to public expectations that Hong Kong and Macau should work to preserve Cantonese culture. However, in Macau’s northern district, Mandarin appears to have already become dominant on the streets, with students speaking fluent Mandarin. Concerns about the gradual fading or even potential disappearance of Cantonese were raised by legislators as early as 2020.

As a vital regional language, Cantonese embodies rich cultural traditions through its phonetics and vocabulary, showcasing distinct local characteristics. Notably, in the years leading up to the handover of Macau, “new immigrants” – whether Filipino or Mandarin speakers – actively learned Cantonese to integrate into what they viewed as a “new” society.

However, the recent rise in the number of schoolchildren lacking proficiency in Cantonese raises a pressing question: Will this issue attract the government’s attention?

Similar to yesterday’s publication, “Concerns Rise as Portuguese Language Use Shows Signs of Decline,” the government also appears responsible for addressing the issue of Cantonese’s diminishing influence.

As the regulator, authorities should reflect on incidents such as the “PUTA” case, which highlight a broader concern. In a city where Cantonese is the primary language of communication, why do some residents or shop owners prefer to write “Portuguese tart” as “PUTA” using Mandarin pinyin instead of “pou4 taat3”? This raises questions about the preservation of Cantonese and its significance in Macau.