Re: Mixed writing systems (WAS: Newbie says hi)

>So, according to you, a Cantonese person's position vis-a-vis Mandarin is
>alot like mine vis-a-vis English. That, as far as I'm concerned, kills off
>all arguments that using the hanzi system brings linguistic unity to China
>that wouldn't be available with another writing system. (Which, of course,
>doesn't bear at all on the quesion whether hanzi writing is more or less
>ideal for the Sinitic languages one for one.)
The difference is if they really write cantonese, non cantonese speakers will
still be able to understand. (and vice versa). They will not feel it is the
same language, but it will make sense. You can experience it easily. Take any
standard chinese to a karaoke, and pick up a cantonese song. They will
understand it. I take the karaoke example 'cause it really occurs quite often
in real life.