Interviewer
Interviewee (I : Ida & S: Sumi) [english translation]
(text) English
(Italic text) English translation of Cantonese
Hello. Excuse me. Are you free now, may I conduct an interview with you? Just a few question and all the results received are for research purpose only.
I: um… ( hesitation)
S: no, no recording.
I&S: Sorry can’t understand your question?
Hi! I am a student from HKU. May I ask you a few questions?
I&S: okok.
Where do you come from?
I &S : Indonesia.
What is your native language?
I: Indonesian.
S: Indonesian, but my parents also speak Java.
At home you will use Indonesian, how about workplace?
I&S: Mostly Cantonese.
When you are working, what do you use?
I: Cantonese to elderly.
S: sometimes English to children.
What language do you use when you meet friends?
I&S: of course use Indonesian.
So no English?
I&S: No no.
What do think about Indonesian? Do you like your native language? Do you like Indonesian?
I&S: Yes, of course.
When do you come to Hong Kong?
I: 4 years.
S: Me too.
What and where do you work before?
I: Singapore.
S: Malaysia.
Also as a domestic helper?
I&S: Yes.
So why did you come to Hong Kong?
I: Hong kong is better.
S: Yes, more money, more holiday.
Do you feel happy here in Hong Kong?
I&S: Yes!
Before you come to Hong Kong, do you or how long u need to learn Cantonese?
I: Of course yes.
S: It depends on your ability. Shorter if you are smarter.
Oh I see, you how long did you take the course?
I: half months.
S: what? Half year you mean? Six months.
I: Ah, yes, 6 months.
How about you Sumi?
S: 3 to 4 months.
Do you take the course in Indonesia or here in Hong Kong?
I&S: Indonesia.
How was the course like? Once a week or frequent classes?
I: Almost everyday.
S: Just like you studying in school.
So there are some language centres?
I: Yes. You can also learn Mandarin.
S: There are many language schools in Indonesia.
How about English, did you learn it ? At primary school or Secondary school?
I&S: Primary and secondary school.
How often do you have English classes?
I: Once a week.
How long was the lesson?
I: Only 1 hour.
Do you think speaking English is better?
I&S: OK la.
How’s the education in Indonesia?
I: It is very expensive. We have to pay for also primary and secondary schooling.
S: University is even more expensive.
I: Yup, unlike Hong Kong. No free education.
Do you appreciate your native language? Do you like your native language?
I&S:Yes
Are you required to speak English here?
I: No, only Cantonese. I live with an elderly.
S: Yes, I use English with the kids.
Do you have kids now?
I: Yes, we both have.
S: She have a son and a daughter, I have 2 daughters.
What languages do you speak with them?
I&S: Indonesian.
S: Sometimes English, they learnt it from school.
Would you think teaching them English will be more beneficial? Would you choose to teach them English? Or would you want to?
I: Better if they can. But I won’t push them to learn English.
S: Sure, the reason I came here to work, is to provide them with a better future.
You think they just have to know a little bit English and that is sufficient?
I&S:Yeah.
How about Cantonese? Will you teach your children?
S: Nope. They refused to work in Hong Kong.
So how often do you visit your children?
I: Once two years, and back for 2 weeks.
How long do you plan to stay at Hong Kong?
I: Probably 1 to 2 years, I guess.
S: Me too, maybe half and a year.
So you will back to Indonesia then? To stay with your family?
I&S: Yup, perhaps.
What are you planning to do when you back to Indonesia?
S: Want to have a stall. If I am wealthy enough.
Do you wish to have more support from government for learning Cantonese or English?
I: Of course that will be more helpful.
S: Actually, the agency provides some language programmes too. But just, they are quite costly.
So, do oyu have more interest in learning Cantonese and/ or Englsih?
I&S: Yes, I guess so.
Thank you for your precious time. Have a nice day!