The returns to language ability in Hong Kong : before and after the handover

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Applied Economics Letters

Publication Date

1-1-2007

Volume

14

Issue

2

First Page

121

Last Page

125

Publisher

Routledge

Abstract

This article examines the economic returns to language ability of natives and Chinese immigrants in Hong Kong. Upon learning that the People's Republic of China would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, local residents flocked to learn Putonghua. Until now, the general belief was that Putonghua would gain importance in the labour market and the ability to speak Putonghua would substantially raise their productivity and earnings. The empirical results in this article prove ironically otherwise. Speaking Putonghua has little very impact on native and immigrant workers’ earnings.

DOI

10.1080/13504850500425741

Print ISSN

13504851

E-ISSN

14664291

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2007 Taylor & Francis

Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Lui, H. K. (2007). The returns to language ability in Hong Kong: Before and after the handover. Applied Economics Letters, 14(2), 121-125. doi: 10.1080/13504850500425741

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