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Find out more about Cynthia

• 1) Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I speak Cantonese fluently because it's my mother tongue. I was born and raised in a Cantonese-speaking environment, where the language was part of my everyday life-from conversations at home to pop culture, TV shows, and music. Later, I began to truly appreciate the beauty and complexity of Cantonese, not just as a means of communication, but as a cultural heritage worth preserving.

• 2) Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  An iconic figure that represents the heart of Cantonese culture is Leslie Cheung (張國榮). As an artist, he broke boundaries and brought immense depth and emotion to both music and film in the Cantonese-speaking world. His works, especially in classic films and Cantonese pop songs, continue to resonate across generations.

• 3) Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  I love the phrase 「飲啖茶，食個包」 (yam daam cha, sik go baau) which means "have a sip of tea and eat a bun." It's not just about food-it captures the Cantonese attitude of taking life in stride, finding comfort in simple pleasures, and using food as a way to connect with others. It perfectly represents the warmth and community-centered nature of the culture.

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Speaking Cantonese connects me to my identity, my family, and my roots. In an increasingly globalised world, preserving and passing on this language feels more important than ever. Through teaching, I hope to empower learners to engage with this rich linguistic heritage and to help keep Cantonese alive for future generations.

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  One of the biggest challenges in learning Cantonese is mastering its tonal system-there are six to nine tones depending on how you count them. This can be daunting for beginners. To make the process smoother, I use a combination of Jyutping (Cantonese romanisation), visual tone aids, and real-life conversation practice. I also encourage learners to engage with music, dramas, and memes-it makes learning more fun and memorable.

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  I still remember translating pop song lyrics into English during secondary school to explain them to my non-Cantonese-speaking friends. I didn't know it then, but that was my first experience as a language bridge-and it sparked my interest in teaching and translation. It made me realise how language can connect different worlds and perspectives.

• 7) How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Moving to the UK in 2020 made me even more aware of the value of my native language. While living abroad, I started teaching Cantonese to friends and community members who were curious about the language and culture. Teaching in a multicultural environment pushed me to explore better ways of explaining cultural nuances and linguistic patterns. It deepened both my understanding and appreciation of Cantonese.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I combine cultural insight, clear explanations, and a personalised approach to each student's needs. My lessons are structured yet flexible, often infused with real-life materials like menus, street signs, music, or local expressions. As a designer, I also bring visual learning tools into my teaching to support pronunciation, memory, and tone recognition. Most importantly, I teach with patience, passion, and a genuine desire to help students feel confident using the language.