The Art of Speech--Ming Pao, 20/4/2006 -- ��R��@�~

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Date Posted: 7/05/06 22:47
Author: A. Young
Subject: The Art of Speech--Ming Pao, 20/4/2006

I read with my entire agreement your article titled "The Art of Speech"(I cannot type out in Chinese) which appeared in Ming Pao on 20/4/2006, especially the part on the salesgirls/salesmen saying "can I help you?" in straight Chinese translation. They just don't know what they are saying. They just don't knew the meaning of "help" and "serve" at all.
This wrong phrase is happening in the wrong contexts so many times in Hong Kong that it is necessary to speak out loud and clear that it is wrong to say this to the customers. We, the customers, are "helping" to keep their jobs. We are "helping" to keep the businesses to survive. We want to spend money and be respected. We don't need "help". One hears this funny ubiquitous phrase everywhere - in supermarkets, in banks where you put your money, in department stores, in jewellery shops, in cinemas, in libraries where you are reading on your own, in restaurants�Kin fact in all places!
The western version of "can I help you?" or "how can I help you?" carries a connotation of "to serve" the customers, and not "to help" in the straight translation to Chinese. The salespersons just con't have the judgment and ther discretion on how to use this phrase correctly. It is their managers/supervisors who should be taught correctly. They haven't thanked the customers enough yet, not to say "to help" them!!!

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