Vulnerable families in Hong Kong simply must master Cantonese

Originally published on SCMP | 26 January 2026

Reposted here with full credit to SCMP.

In my extensive volunteer work as a lawyer with vulnerable families across our city, I have listened to heartbreaking accounts of hardship, crowded housing, inaccessible healthcare and the desperate search for dignified work.

While their struggles are complex, I have arrived at a firm and personal conviction: the most critical barrier they face is not primarily systemic, but linguistic. And with that conviction comes a message of hope and agency.

I believe, with every fibre of my being, that mastering Cantonese is the single most transformative act of empowerment available to them. It is the master key. Every other challenge - deciphering a housing form, advocating at a clinic, understanding a job description or filing a complaint - becomes surmountable once one can communicate.

I hear calls for better systemic support, and while that has its place, I see a far more immediate and decisive path: an individual or a family deciding to overcome the language barrier on their own.

This is not merely about catching up, but about gaining a superior edge. Consider the prospect: a person who masters fluent Cantonese, retains full command of their native language and speaks functional English possesses a trilingual skill set that could exceed many local peers.

In our global yet locally rooted job market, this is not just an asset; it is a formidable competitive advantage. I have seen it elevate individuals from marginalised jobseekers to sought-after candidates. This linguistic prowess, when paired with even modest vocational training or a strong work ethic, creates a profile of exceptional value and resilience.

Therefore, I place the primary responsibility for this transformation squarely on the individual and the family unit. It requires a conscious, relentless and daily choice to prioritise learning. It means parents leading by example, turning the home into a classroom and relentlessly practising in shops, clinics and parks. It is hard daily work, but I have witnessed its transformative power.

The Hong Kong spirit has always been about rewarding the proactive, the adaptable and the resilient. The city offers a platform to those who seize the initiative. I urge every resident or newcomer who is struggling to find a footing to invest in the language. Do not wait for a system to perfect itself. Your power to break the cycle and rise lies in your own discipline, your own voice and the words you choose to learn today. Your future here will be built upon them.

Ahmed Ashfaq, Tsim Sha Tsui

https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3340963/vulnerable-families-hong-kong-simply-must-master-cantonese?