Useful Cantonese phrases. A collection of useful phrases in Cantonese, a variety of Chinese spoken in Hong Kong, Macau, southern China, and a number of other places, in traditional characters and Yale Romanization. Key to abbreviations: frm = formal, inf = informal. Click on any of the phrases that are links to hear them spoken.
John T. Scopes. John Thomas Scopes (1900-1970) was a substitute high school teacher who went on trial in Dayton, Tennessee, in 1925 for teaching evolution against State law. Chicago criminal lawyer Clarence Darrow unsuccessfully defended Scopes against the charge.
Clarence Darrow was one of Scopes's attorneys, while William Jennings Bryan aided the state prosecutor. Darrow argued that academic freedom was being violated and claimed that the legislature had indicated a religious preference, violating the separation of church and state.