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C1 · Lesson 1

Literary Cantonese

文學廣東話
What you will learn

Explore the literary dimension of Cantonese through poetry, song lyrics, and prose. Cantonese literature has a rich tradition from opera librettos to modern Cantopop. Develop appreciation for the aesthetic qualities of the language.

Dialogue

Conversation

A
你有冇留意到廣東歌嘅歌詞其實好有文學性？
Have you noticed that Cantopop lyrics are actually very literary?
B
當然，好似林夕同黃偉文嘅詞，好多都可以當詩嚟讀。
Of course, like the lyrics of Lin Xi and Wong Wai Man, many can be read as poetry.
A
佢哋善於運用比喻同意象，將複雜嘅情感濃縮喺幾句歌詞入面。
They excel at using metaphor and imagery, condensing complex emotions into a few lines of lyrics.
B
廣東話嘅聲調本身就好似音樂，所以填詞要兼顧字音同旋律。
Cantonese tones are themselves like music, so lyric writing must balance word tones with melody.
A
呢個就係廣東歌同國語歌最大嘅分別。聲調唔夾就會好怪。
This is the biggest difference between Cantopop and Mandopop. If the tones do not match it sounds strange.
B
除咗歌詞，粵語文學仲包括粵劇劇本、散文同小說。
Besides lyrics, Cantonese literature also includes Cantonese opera scripts, essays, and novels.
A
粵劇入面嘅古典粵語好優美，不過而家好少人聽得明。
Classical Cantonese in opera is very elegant, but few people today can understand it.
B
所以保育粵語文學好重要，呢啲係我哋嘅文化遺產。
So preserving Cantonese literature is very important, these are our cultural heritage.
Vocabulary

Key Words & Phrases

文學
literature
歌詞
lyrics
填詞
lyric writing
比喻
metaphor
意象
imagery
旋律
melody
粵劇
Cantonese opera
劇本
script
散文
prose / essay
優美
elegant / graceful
保育
preserve / conserve
文化遺產
cultural heritage
Grammar

Language Patterns

善於 + verb (excel at / be good at — literary)

善於 (sin6 jyu1) is the literary equivalent of 叻/識. It means "to be skilled at" or "excel at". Used in formal writing and sophisticated speech.
佢善於觀察人性。
keoi5 sin6 jyu1 gun1 caat3 jan4 sing3.
She excels at observing human nature.
呢位作家善於運用象徵手法。
ni1 wai2 zok3 gaa1 sin6 jyu1 wan6 jung6 zoeng6 zing1 sau2 faat3.
This author excels at using symbolism.

將 A + verb + 喺 B (place A into B — literary)

將 (zoeng1) is the formal/literary equivalent of 把. It marks the object of an action. 將情感濃縮喺歌詞入面 = condense emotions into lyrics.
將問題簡化。
zoeng1 man6 tai4 gaan2 faa3.
Simplify the problem.
將資料整理好。
zoeng1 zi1 liu2 zing2 lei5 hou2.
Organise the materials.

兼顧 (balance / take into account both)

兼顧 (gim1 gu3) means to consider or balance multiple things simultaneously. A sophisticated verb for discussing trade-offs and multitasking.
要兼顧工作同家庭。
jiu3 gim1 gu3 gung1 zok3 tung4 gaa1 ting4.
Must balance work and family.
設計要兼顧美觀同實用。
cit3 gai3 jiu3 gim1 gu3 mei5 gun1 tung4 sat6 jung6.
Design must balance aesthetics and practicality.

除咗 A 仲包括 B (besides A, also includes B)

除咗 (ceoi4 zo2)...仲包括 (zung6 baau1 kut3) expands a list: "besides A, it also includes B". More sophisticated than just 同埋.
除咗英文，佢仲識法文同德文。
ceoi4 zo2 jing1 man4, keoi5 zung6 sik1 faat3 man4 tung4 dak1 man4.
Besides English, she also knows French and German.
課程除咗講座仲包括工作坊。
fo3 cing4 ceoi4 zo2 gong2 zo6 zung6 baau1 kut3 gung1 zok3 fong4.
The course besides lectures also includes workshops.
Practice

Test Your Knowledge

Fill_blank · Question 1
佢 ___ 運用比喻表達情感。 (excels at — literary)
  • 善於
  • 識得
  • 可以
  • 鍾意
Answer
善於
Translate · Question 2
Cantonese tones are themselves like music.
Answer
廣東話嘅聲調本身就好似音樂。
Choice · Question 3
What does 填詞 specifically refer to?
  • writing lyrics to fit a melody
  • composing music
  • singing a song
  • writing a poem
Answer
writing lyrics to fit a melody
Fill_blank · Question 4
設計要 ___ 美觀同實用。 (balance both)
  • 兼顧
  • 考慮
  • 注意
  • 包括
Answer
兼顧
Translate · Question 5
Preserving Cantonese literature is very important, these are our cultural heritage.
Answer
保育粵語文學好重要，呢啲係我哋嘅文化遺產。

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