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