“Cyber language adequately represents Hong Kong's local culture by showing that Cantonese is a living language,” says Professor John Erni, Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Humanities and Creative Writing.

Recently teenagers have developed a unique cyber language for online communication. Some teachers complain that the use of “language from Mars” will prevent teenagers from developing proper language skills. However, Professor Erni treats cyber language as part of the process of Cantonese language evolution, as its creativity and effectiveness helps people to communicate and generate new ideas.

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