Under Hong Kong's famed and feared anti-cartel laws, it's now illegal to sell a skyscraper in the Mid-Levels by using photographs of a chateau in the Dordogne. However, you can still sell the Mid-Levels skyscraper with photos of the chateau if you print a disclaimer to the effect that "the photographs in the advertisement represent the artist's imaginative impression of the development concerned". People who insist that the camera never lies should visit Hong Kong.
While here, they might like to stay at the latest of these high-rise boxes, a 63-floor contribution to the wall effect called Seymour. Located at 9 Seymour Road with panoramic views of the ParknShop, this edifice does have one thing going for it: a sensible name rather than a stupid Italian one.
Originally owned by Emperor International, the conglomerate controlled by the entertainment mogul with an eye for young female talent, Albert Yeung Sau Sing, the property was sold on to WingTaiAsia, the local arm of Singapore property developer Wing Tai Holdings.
If you thought Singaporean English was an improvement on the Hong Kong variety, think again. A quick look at the sales blurb in yesterday's South China Morning Post is enough to make you turn your nose up at the linguistic pretensions of those annoying people who will insist on switching from Hokkien to English as soon as a white face sits down at the next table.
Imagine the forgotten luxury of slowing down, where one leisurely takes in exquisite art collections amidst a ceiling of hand-crafted chandeliers.
I particularly enjoyed the schoolboy error of assuming "leisurely" to be an adverb since it ends in "-ly".
"Amidst a ceiling" is pretty good, too.
While here, they might like to stay at the latest of these high-rise boxes, a 63-floor contribution to the wall effect called Seymour. Located at 9 Seymour Road with panoramic views of the ParknShop, this edifice does have one thing going for it: a sensible name rather than a stupid Italian one.
Originally owned by Emperor International, the conglomerate controlled by the entertainment mogul with an eye for young female talent, Albert Yeung Sau Sing, the property was sold on to WingTaiAsia, the local arm of Singapore property developer Wing Tai Holdings.
If you thought Singaporean English was an improvement on the Hong Kong variety, think again. A quick look at the sales blurb in yesterday's South China Morning Post is enough to make you turn your nose up at the linguistic pretensions of those annoying people who will insist on switching from Hokkien to English as soon as a white face sits down at the next table.
Imagine the forgotten luxury of slowing down, where one leisurely takes in exquisite art collections amidst a ceiling of hand-crafted chandeliers.
I particularly enjoyed the schoolboy error of assuming "leisurely" to be an adverb since it ends in "-ly".
"Amidst a ceiling" is pretty good, too.
20 comments:
But how many floor numbers are missing......and what will the top floor be allocated? 888? The Singaporeans are mighty superstitious.
Virtually all newly constructed tower blocks in Hong Kong have no floors ending with a 4. Fewer developers these days, though, bend the knee to Western superstition by disappearing 13.
If you want to pick up a bargain property, go for a 44th floor flat.
"A quick look at the sales blurb in yesterday's South China Morning Post is enough to make you turn your nose up at the linguistic pretensions of those annoying people who will insist on switching from Hokkien to English as soon as a white face sits down at the next table."
Umm... Ulaca -- firstly, I fail to see the connection between the blurb and those switch languages mid-conversation; and secondly, as someone who is comfortable speaking both Hokkien and English, let me assure that quite a few people like me often switch without taking into account who is nearby -- but, instead, because certain words or phrases are easier to use in one language vs the other!
Also, re the use of "leisurely" in that ad: isn't using "leisurely" as an adverb an American English thing? ;b
But, YTSL (do you mind if I just call you "Y"?), give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile. They'll be using "friendly" as an adverb next.
On the sociolinguistic front, without getting all technical, I'm not referring to code-switching as such (what you are describing), but to people who will insist on annoying me by starting to talk English with their kids as soon as they see an English face. This practice has ruined many an elevator ride for me, I can tell you. Yes, it's more of a Hong Kong thing than a Singaporean thing - but my post had a Singaporean theme, I had a bugbear I wanted to work into it, et voilà poetic licence took over.
Yes - Chinese parents switch from Cantonese to English (esp with strong Cantonese accent) when talking to their kids in the presence of 'gweilo' or 'gweipor' is an interesting topic for the studies of psychology. Any experts would like to offer their comments?
My expert advice is, especially in the case of outlaws, to ignore them.
ankslym - something that occurs after seeing Susan Li on the telly.
The K. Wah Centre in North Point, where I work, has no 13/F, 14/F or 15/F.
When I want to walk from the newsroom (16/F) to the business offices (12/F), I go down one flight of stairs.
Thirteen, I guess, is for Western superstition; 14 for Chinese superstition. Why there's no 15, I have no idea.
Maybe it's like short people (like me) wearing platform heels. We just want to feel taller than we are.
When you lie down, you are taller than most other ladies (also lying down), Joycey.
Joyce, you realise you've gone and given him your address. Change the door code quick.
"Also, re the use of "leisurely" in that ad: isn't using "leisurely" as an adverb an American English thing? "
Surely you jest, meh?
Hi again ulaca --
Yes, you may call me "Y" for short! And point taken re "give them an inch..." :)
And Jim --
No, I'm not jesting. And here's a link to the relevant (American) Merriam Webster Dictionary page to prove it:-
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/LEISURELY
Trust me YTSL, no native English speaker would use "leisurely" the way it's used in that sentence. Non-native English speakers who try to pass off some syntactic abomination as "American English" (if they're speaking to a Brit) or "The Queen's English" (if they're speaking to an American) aren't fooling anyone. We can tell the difference between bad grammar and the minor idiosyncrasies of our white brethren across the pond.
And as long as The American Guy is all riled up, allow me to mention to Joyce Who Went to Oxford Lau that "a lot" is two words and I hope she'll make a note of it for future blog entries.
Jim - no it ain't in South African English! There it's alot
How about the Asian Games slogan? "Be the legend" ?
I was under the impression that a legend was a piece of writing telling of the exploits of a legendary person ... according to dictionary.com
"a nonhistorical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical."
If you want to use it to refer to a person it should read "be a legend"
Whatever, it's a rubbish slogan.
OMG we've just bought a new house and its number 4. I must get it renumbered to 3# or 5♭.
If it's a house, then 5♭'s out.
You're too sharp for me,Ully. I had to think about that for a minuet. Oh well, as a minim-um I should stave off the temptation for more musical Scherze. Or should that be scherzo?
Punning in four languages, Shirl. You're the rich man's fumie.
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