Orientational Code-switching
Mr. Cool by Louis Koo
"主演 Mr. Cool 我笑我不在乎"
(zyu2 jin2 Mr. Cool ngo5 siu3 ngo5 bat1 zoi6 fu4)
(Acting Mr. Cool, I smile and i don't care anything)
"分手的前夕最懂應付"
(fan1 sau2 dik1 cin4 zik6 zeoi3 dung2 jing3 Fu6)
(good at handle break up scene)
"擔當 Mr. Cool 我有我風度沉默背景像教父"
(daam1 dong1 Mr. Cool ngo5 jau5 ngo5 fung1 dou6 cam4 zam6 mak6 bui3 ging2 jing2 zoeng6 gaau3 fu2)
(Being Mr. Cool, i have good manner like godfather)
"主演 Mr. Cool 我笑我不在乎"
(zyu2 jin2 Mr. Cool ngo5 siu3 ngo5 bat1 zoi6 fu4)
(Acting Mr. Cool, I smile and i don't care anything)
"分手的前夕最懂應付"
(fan1 sau2 dik1 cin4 zik6 zeoi3 dung2 jing3 Fu6)
(good at handle break up scene)
"擔當 Mr. Cool 我有我風度沉默背景像教父"
(daam1 dong1 Mr. Cool ngo5 jau5 ngo5 fung1 dou6 cam4 zam6 mak6 bui3 ging2 jing2 zoeng6 gaau3 fu2)
(Being Mr. Cool, i have good manner like godfather)
Implication
The song depicted the appearance and personality of the good-looking and gentle Mr. Koo (Louis Koo). Given the fact that the surname of the singer "Koo" and English word "Cool" are homophonous, the lyricist played with the pair of homophones, attempting to project a westernized and modern identity. Instead of holding firm to the conservative convention towards romance, other lines implied a more enlightened and westernized image of love, e.g. Stay calm and cool when dealing with break-up. This kind of code-switching is deliberate, and motivated by the lyricist's intention to convey a “Western” orientation.
However, It is proposed by a number of scholars that the use of "Orientational Code-switching" in identity construction and negotiation plays an insignificant role throughout the development of Canto-pop.
However, It is proposed by a number of scholars that the use of "Orientational Code-switching" in identity construction and negotiation plays an insignificant role throughout the development of Canto-pop.