CRLLS Organises ‘Hong Kong Indigenous Languages and Culture Lecture Series’ in Collaboration with HKILang

In 2025, the CRLLS collaborated with the Association for Conservation of Hong Kong Indigenous Languages (HKILang) to organise the ‘Hong Kong Indigenous Languages and Culture Lecture Series’. The series attracted over 260 participants through in-person and online formats, successfully fostering a deeper appreciation for Hong Kong’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage. This initiative aligns with the Centre’s core vision of promoting cultural sustainability through rigorous research and active community engagement.

The series commenced on 25 May 2025 with a public lecture entitled ‘19th Century China Coast Pidgin English’ by Prof Stephen Selby. The lecture examined the historical development of Pidgin English as a simplified contact language, which emerged in the 18th century to facilitate trade and daily communication between Chinese speakers and foreigners along the China coast.

From 27 July to 31 August 2025, the series continued with a six-session programme titled ‘Database of Hong Kong Local Traditional Folksongs: Lectures and Workshops’. The first two sessions, led by Dr Stephen Cheung from HKILang, introduced a comprehensive database of traditional Hong Kong folksongs funded by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office. These were followed by four interactive workshops facilitated by Prof Lau Chun-fat, Dr Lau Chaak-ming, Mr Lam Ming-chiu, and Ms Lai Dai-kam. Through live demonstrations of the Waitau dialect and fishermen’s songs, participants gained firsthand experience of the unique features of Hakka, Waitau, and fishermen dialects, as well as the region's traditional musical heritage.

The most recent lecture, held on 2 November 2025, was delivered by Dr Liao Hanbo. Dr Liao focused on the Zhuang tradition of antiphonal singing (ngyam sley). The lecture examined the linguistic and cultural convergence in the Lingnan region, emphasising the historical interaction between Zhuang and Han Chinese communities.

Through this lecture series, CRLLS aims to raise public awareness of the vital importance of Hong Kong’s indigenous languages. The Centre remains steadfastly committed to cultural sustainability and looks forward to driving further research and outreach efforts in this field.

 

 

 

 

Highlights from the lecture series

 

 

 

 

Participants practise Hong Kong traditional folksongs under guidance

 

 

 

 

Posters for the lecture series