Immigrant mums from Hong Kong make Cantonese children’s books to teach mother tongue

Yeung is part of an emerging network of immigrant Hong Kong mothers promoting Cantonese in English-speaking countries – in hopes of preserving their children’s cultural heritage.

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Over the years, Yeung has noticed how immigrant children often lose touch with their cultural roots after moving abroad.

“In school, they learn new English vocabulary about science, history and other subjects. But at home, even if parents insist on speaking Cantonese, conversations are often shallow – about what to eat or where to go,” she said.

“When they want to express more complex ideas, they can’t find the words, so they switch to English.”

The mother believes preserving a native language does more than maintain communication; it shapes identity.

“Language carries cultural nuances. Concepts like filial piety or foods being ‘heating’ [yeet hay] don’t translate directly into English,” she said. “Being bilingual broadens perspectives, fosters empathy, and deepens understanding of different ways of thinking.”

Cantonese is the second most popular language in China, spoken by over 55 million people. Globally, it is spoken by another 20 million people.

Known for its six to nine tones, Cantonese is a distinct and evolving spoken language, rich with nuanced phrases and slang.

However, many parents from Hong Kong struggle to find materials focused on teaching colloquial Cantonese to their children.

Thus, Yeung’s book has already received an overwhelmingly positive response from families around the globe.

“Some told me a grandfather read it with their grandchild, and they both loved the rhymes,” Yeung shared.

“Most parents said there’s nothing else like this on the market. Many even learned something new about the Cantonese phonetic system.”

For the author, what made this book even more special was the involvement of her 10-year-old daughter, who contributed many of the illustrations, adding a playful touch to the book.

“After I wrote a story, I’d ask her to sketch it in a funny or interesting way,” Yeung said. “She was so happy and proud ... I could tell she felt a sense of accomplishment.”

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Alice Chau Ginguene – who has spent more than two decades living outside Hong Kong – never expected a European to ask her which Chinese language she spoke.

To her, the question was a welcome surprise. It marked a shift from the long-held assumption that all Chinese speakers shared one language and signalled a growing recognition of her mother tongue, Cantonese.

“There’s more public awareness now, even among Europeans, that Cantonese is a distinct language,” said the 46-year-old, who is the host of a Cantonese radio programme, Asian Talents.

Three years ago, Chau co-founded a group, Cantonese in Ireland, with two other mothers from Hong Kong. Their goal is to preserve Cantonese language and culture while helping Cantonese-speaking immigrants settle in Ireland.

“It’s the brainchild of three concerned mothers,” Chau said. “At the time, we obviously were worried about our kids – the continuity of Cantonese language in their lives.”

She added: “Our third parent ... is also [from] another big demographic that we are experiencing right now. They are people who just left Hong Kong and moved here in the past few years.”

During the pandemic, the group received funds from the Dublin government to organise Lunar New Year activities. Tickets to the events sold out almost immediately. Since then, they have organised about 100 cultural activities, such as Cantonese reading events, film meet-ups and walking tours.

Peg Chiu is another of the group’s co-founders, and she is passionate about passing on Hong Kong’s heritage to the next generation. Last March, she released an illustrated Cantonese children’s book, The Tiger Under the Flyover, which draws inspiration from “villain hitting”, a ritual for keeping malicious people away.

“It’s such a rich story – one that reflects the essence of Hong Kong and its people,” Chiu shared.

For many immigrant mothers from Hong Kong, like Yeung, Chau and Chiu, Cantonese represents their identity.

“Cantonese isn’t just about speaking; it’s yum cha, kung fu, Wing Chun, mahjong, and all the traditions that come with it,” Chau said. “Without your culture, you lose who you are.”

While the use of Mandarin has grown in Hong Kong, Yeung believes Cantonese is thriving overseas, thanks to growing appreciation from Chinese communities abroad.

“There’s a renewed awareness among first-generation immigrants,” Yeung said. “They realised they lost something and don’t want the same for the next generation. Now, they’re determined to preserve their culture.”

The author noted a recent surge in resources for learning Cantonese, including new books and innovative fonts that integrate Jyutping.

“When I arrived here eight years ago, there were virtually no Cantonese resources,” she recalled. “Now, there’s so much more being created by people working tirelessly to keep the language alive.”

But no matter what tools are available, Yeung stressed that prioritising bonding was key to raising bilingual kids.

“When children feel loved and supported, they’re more open to learning. Even if they don’t master the language immediately, creating positive experiences lays a foundation for them to return to it later,” she said.