Cultivating civility

Editor,

Mr Liang Hongfu's January 17 column about Hong Kong citizens gaining more civility proved an exciting read. As a local citizen of another large city, Shanghai, I am inspired to share my opinions on the issue of urban civility, especially in Shanghai.

A large population is just one prerequisite, a vibrant economy another. I believe what turns an overgrown city into a real metropolis lies in its citizens.

I am a frequent user of Shanghai's efficient subway service. What annoys me most is not the jammed carriages during rush hours and weekends. The most problematic is that most passengers never observe a widely accepted rule in Western cities standing on one side of escalators to leave a passage for hurrying morning commuters. Every morning I have to push zigzag down the escalator and say dozens of "excuse me" to catch a train on time.

If you observe everyday lives in Shanghai, you will find that Shanghai citizens still need to gain more civility in other aspects besides in subways. I am sure most Shanghainese mean no harm when engaging in less polite behaviours, but it is subconscious actions that undermine a city's image most.

Citizens are a city's soul. Shanghai's basic facilities are being overhauled through the years. Civility, however, cannot be so easily imparted. More extensive efforts are needed to create a more friendly environment in public places.

Pan Jiabei, Shanghai

Languages are equal

Editor,

The theory expressed by Kevin Keqing Liu on January 19 is a new attempt to push forward an old idea. In fact, we examined this theory four decades ago when I was majoring in linguistics.

Would English language have first named all nationalities in the world, there could be something sustainable in this theory, but it is not fact. Moreover, the author as well as his "predecessors" seem to create rules to justify the facts instead of extracting facts from the rules.

If the adjectives ending in "ese" are pejorative (in English) when speaking of a nationality, as the theory purports, and those with the suffix "an" are meliorative, let's see briefly what happens in French.

In reference to Mr Liu's Group I: Australian, Autrichian, Canadian, Italian, Norwegian. But why Allemand and Russe, then ?

Group II : Chinois, Nepalais, Japonais, Portugais, Soudanais. But, Vietnamien! a promotion of an "inferior" nation to a "superior" group! (Mr Liu would explain that the French colonized the Vietnamese, that's why. But they also colonized the Congolais, for instance.)

Speaking of provinces, if Toronto people call themselves Torontonian (group I) in English, they are Torontois in French (group II), while French language says Manitobain and Ontarien. Following the "rules" of the mentioned theory, if you live in Ontario Province, you feel (or are) superior, unless you live in the capital of this province, then you are inferior. Inferior are the French themselves and the British as the words for their nationality fall into group II Francais and Anglais. And what about the Greeks (Grecs) and the Spanish (Espagnols)?

It's easy to see this theory is not only flimsy but without any scientific basis. Let's set it apart, and just remember there is no good or bad language, no good or bad country, no superior or inferior race or nationality.

Lisa Carducci, Beijing

New Year wishes

Editor,

As Spring Festival is coming, it gives us great pleasure and honour to extend warm Spring Festival greetings and good wishes to all Chinese people.

In the Year of the Dog, we wish all your dreams come true, and your country continues its drive to sustainable development.

We have lived in your country for almost eight years we love this great country and wonderful people. We also appreciate your support for our country Iraq. We wish your nation all the best in the new millennium.

Abbas Kdaimy & Family, Beijing

(China Daily 01/27/2006 page4)