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paperback HK$160.00
Hong Kong University Press
Paddyfield.com
More reviews by Peter Gordon
Readers may purchase reviewed books from Paddyfield.com, Asia's online bookseller.North American readers may prefer to buy US editions from Powells.com.
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Signs of a Colonial Era by Andrew Yanne / Gillis Heller
Hong Kong seems to be fighting a losing battle for the preservation of its (almost by definition, largely colonial) heritage, but even when buildings are torn down (sorry, redeveloped), ghosts and shadows of the past linger in the names of streets, parks and buildings around the city.
Andrew Yanne and Gillis Heller have in SIGNS OF A COLONIAL ERA written a book both encyclopedic and charming. Hong Kong's place names record many if not most of Governors and other senior administrators, as well as many of the leading businessmen and other leading lights -- of various nationalities -- of the local society. SIGNS OF A COLONIAL ERA's pictures and maps allow the sign-spotter to walk through more a century and a half of local history. Monuments, foundation stones and statues are tossed in for good measure.
The authors point out not just the historical origins of the name, but also the differences between the English and Cantonese names. The Chinese name for Lyndhurst Terrace (named in English after an Assistant Magistrate) -- baai fa gaai, literally arrange or display flowers -- makes reference to the street's previous role as the venue for a number of high-class brothels.
One can even trace the ongoing narrowing of the Harbour and Hong Kong's changing shoreline by the street names: Anchor Street, Dock Street and Schooner Street are now landlocked.
The authors delight in the vagaries of transliteration and translation: the Chinese and English names for, for example, Pine and Fir Streets are reversed. The Chinese for Pound Lane refers to the weight whereas the English refers to animal pound.
One can hardly think of a better way to introduce the fascination and relevance of history to local school-children: history is an easier subject to grasp when one can see it. SIGNS OF A COLONIAL ERA allows provides an introduction to Cantonese for those who speak English, and vice versa, and multiple illustrations of the distinctly Hong Kong interaction between the two languages for those familiar with both. There are just enough scatological references and silly mistakes to keep even the most disillusioned student entertained on a school outing.
Peter Gordon
19/09/2009
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Peter Gordon is editor of The Asian Review of Books. |
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