Newsletter No. 478

478 • 19.5.2016 1 478 編見 中大校園面積八成以上綠化，樹木品種凡二百，徜徉其中，真是一場流動的饗宴。 中大教研團隊達千人之眾，大部分在各自的領域開新探微，他們是中大風景背後的盤根穩幹， 平時默默耕耘，不時散葉開花。 今期訪問三位中大教授，各在其專業內尋根探源。張洪年教授談的是哺育香港人身分的粵語， 他為我們解開了幾個關於粵語的迷思，也旁及語文教育的問題，張教授的見地枝繁葉茂，值得 細讀。 李華白教授專攻的也是根源問題。他立足中大物理系，卻在南美南極等地廣布天眼，接收來自 天外的信息，研究恆星誕生的物理條件。他為我們深入淺出地解釋諸神創造星宿的競技。 由於其族裔及宗教背景，碧樺依教授 （ 右圖 ） 自小便對自己以至他人的文化身分格外敏感。她 先是投身人道工作，然後加入中大執教。她成長於香港，流着一半中國人的血，關懷的始終是 本地弱勢社羣的權利和福祉。 據說南非喀拉哈里沙漠一株牧羊人樹，其根深入地底六十八公尺，是目前世界上所知最深的 根。我們腳下的根未至於那麼深，但必定同樣精彩。 Editorially Speaking The CUHK campus is 80% covered with vegetation, and the number of tree species approaches 200. A casual stroll is in itself a moveable feast. We don’t see our 1,000-strong academic and research staff when they go about their daily work, like we don’t see the roots nourishing and providing support to the trees. At times, though, we see the leaves shaking and the flowers blossoming. The three professors featured in this issue till and plenish different turfs. Prof. Samuel Cheung talks about the Cantonese language and helps clear up a few myths about this beloved tongue of ours, as well as a few other things about language education. A careful reader will be duly rewarded. In Prof. Hua-bai Li’s case, he’s trying to get to the bottom of what makes the stars. Anchored in CUHK, he collects stellar messages from several outposts across the globe. We are fortunate to have him describe the cosmic drama for us. Due to her ethnic and religious background, Prof. Raees Begum Baig ( right photo ) is no stranger to the question of cultural identity. From a human rights advocate to a teacher at CUHK, she has always dedicated herself to the causes of the underprivileged. The world record of the deepest roots is set by a Shepherd Tree ( Boscia albitrunca ) in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa, reaching down to 68 m below. The roots beneath our feet should not go that deep, but they are as nourishing. 19 • 5 • 2016 維權護弱 別樹一幟 （頁8） A Class of Her Own Underclass ( p. 8 ) Photo by ISO staff