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Hong Kong's English is declining, but I think it's mostly because the Mainland Chinese population is heavily increasing. Plus the push in Beijing to get Mandarin more prominent in the Cantonese corner of the nation.
But, all that being said, there is still an awful lot of English floating around Hong Kong as well!
I've visited both countries. I remember speaking English everywhere in HK and everyone was able to understand me - from the workers at McDonalds to the vendors at the Mong Kok markets. When I went to Taiwan I felt helpless. No one understood English. I tried order a "coffee" and the barista just gave me a blank stare. Then I looked at the menu and saw coffee was spelled "ka-fei", which she understood just fine lol. In the end, I mostly just pointed to things and stopped talking.
I've visited both countries. I remember speaking English everywhere in HK and everyone was able to understand me - from the workers at McDonalds to the vendors at the Mong Kok markets. When I went to Taiwan I felt helpless. No one understood English. I tried order a "coffee" and the barista just gave me a blank stare. Then I looked at the menu and saw coffee was spelled "ka-fei", which she understood just fine lol. In the end, I mostly just pointed to things and stopped talking.
Omg it was really that bad?I knew out English is awful but I did not see this coming
Anyway next time(if there is one),ask those that look like students to help you.Honestly the students here also speak crappy English,but they know the word "coffee" lmfao.
I've visited both countries. I remember speaking English everywhere in HK and everyone was able to understand me - from the workers at McDonalds to the vendors at the Mong Kok markets. When I went to Taiwan I felt helpless. No one understood English. I tried order a "coffee" and the barista just gave me a blank stare. Then I looked at the menu and saw coffee was spelled "ka-fei", which she understood just fine lol. In the end, I mostly just pointed to things and stopped talking.
I found Taiwan easier than China in terms of English, well mostly Taipei and the tourist areas, not so much cities like Taichung or Chiayi. It can still be problematic not knowing Mandarin though of course.
Unlike HK, English isnt a common language in Taiwan...so I think you cannot compare them.
So there is no standard to compare in the 1st place.
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