Hakka in the new millennium

[SL Lee <sllee@asiawind.com>]

Dear Dr. Liu,

Yes. I agree that language would be an important element to preserve a
culture. The Olmacs did not leave any language and it is now difficult
to trace their history any more.  There may be a global language for all
to communicate, the individual languages will probably exist for a long
time to come. If the last century is American century, who knows what
the next century may be?

On the definition of Hakka using 1700 AD as a cut off, there is a slight
problem though.  According to the Lee's geneaology, the Lee's in
Dongguan settled there in Jin dynasty. There were two places named
Dongguan during East Jin dynasty . The other was in Shandong, which was
not under Jin any more when the migration occurred.  So, I gather the
Lee's were in the Dongguan of Guangdong since Jin dynasty.  Now, should
we be called Hakka or not? I guess this also works with many other
Hakkas who settled in Jiangxi, Fujian and Gunagdong during different
migrations. I think Mr. Chung Yoon-Ngan agrees with me on that Hakka
setllement in Guangdong started with Qin.  In fact, those in the ancient
time should be more "Hakka" than the ones today.  As we should be the
natives rather than "guest" now.  This is a very minor point and I don't
think it matters much as long as you and I know that I am a Hakka.

SL Lee