Cantonese: A Comprehensive Grammar

Cantonese: A Comprehensive Grammar is a complete reference guide to Cantonese as spoken by native speakers in Hong Kong. It presents a fresh and accessible description of the language, concentrating on the real patterns of use in current Cantonese. This makes it the ideal reference source for all learners and users of Cantonese, irrespective of level, in schools, colleges, universities and adult classes of all types. Moreover, it will provide a lasting and reliable resource for all fluent speakers of the language. The book is organized to promote a thorough understanding of Cantonese grammar. Arranged by both syntactic categories and language functions, the Grammar provides an in-depth treatment of structures and pays special attention to idiom and speech registers. Explanations are full, clear and free of jargon. An extensive index, numbered paragraphs and generous use of headings and cross-references provide readers with easy access to the information they require. Features include: Comprehensive pronunciation section Full use of examples from films, advertising and authentic conversations Cantonese-English parallels highlighted throughout the book All examples given in characters as well as pinyin

Stephen Matthews

Chapter 01 Introduction; Chapter 02 Phonology: the Cantonese sound system; Chapter 03 Word structure: morphology and word formation; Chapter 04 Syntactic categories: parts of speech in Cantonese; Chapter 05 Sentence structure: word order and topicalization; Chapter 06 Pronouns; Chapter 07 The noun phrase; Chapter 08 Prepositions and expressions of location; Chapter 09 The verb phrase; Chapter 10 Adjectival constructions: description and comparison; Chapter 11 Adverbial constructions; Chapter 12 Aspect and verbal particles; Chapter 13 Modality: possibility and probability; Chapter 14 Negation; Chapter 15 Quantification and existential sentences; Chapter 16 Relative and noun-modifying clauses; Chapter 17 Coordination and subordinate clauses; Chapter 18 Questions; Chapter 19 Sentence particles and interjections; Chapter 20 Imperative sentences: commands and requests; Chapter 21 Cantonese speech conventions: politeness and terms of address; Chapter 22 Numerals and times;