Lin Zuohan

Lam Chor Hon was a Hong Kong educator and television host. He became widely known for hosting the Chinese character educational program "A Chinese Word a Day" aired on TVB Jade from 1983 to 1987.

Biography

Lam was born in Hong Kong in 1934 and traced his ancestry to Panyu, Guangzhou, Guangdong. He attended Wah Yan College, Hong Kong, and graduated from The University of Hong Kong with an honors degree in English Literature. He later received a British Council scholarship to study Library Science in the United Kingdom and became a member of the British Library Association. Upon returning to Hong Kong, he studied Song Ci poetry under Professor Jao Tsung-I and earned a master's degree in Chinese Literature.

He held multiple academic and public service roles including Deputy Librarian at United College of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Chief Officer of both the Hong Kong Executive Council and Legislative Council, and was also a lecturer at the University of Hong Kong.

In March 1983, Lam was invited with a generous offer by TVB Jade executives to host "A Chinese Word a Day," a two-minute educational segment. The program lasted three and a half years, producing over 1,400 episodes. He dedicated one weekend day to filming and the rest to research. His humorous presentation style and approachable teaching made him popular with the public, earning him the nickname "People's Teacher." The show ended in 1987.

In 1987, he became channel head at Asia Television's Golden Channel (later ATV Home) and hosted "The Story of the Grand Canal."

In 1988, Lam shifted careers to become head of public relations at Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau (STDM) until 1991.

From 1991 to 1998, he served as lecturer and Chief Assistant Registrar at the University of Macau.

Lam passed away due to heart disease on January 28, 2001, at Grantham Hospital in Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, at the age of 67.

Hosted Programs

• 1983–1987: "A Chinese Word a Day"
• "The Story of the Grand Canal"

Published Works

• 1998: *A Chinese Word a Day* (Joint Publishing HK)
• 1998: *No Regrets Collection* (Macau Writers Association)
• 1999: *No Regrets Collection Sequel* (Macau Writers Association)

Edited Works

• 2000: Cheng Cheung-fai, Lam Chor Hon (eds.), *Colloquial and Literary Style—Conference Papers on Style and Rhetoric* (Macau Linguistics Society, Macau Writers Association)

External Links

• TVB Archive Tribute: Remembering Lam Chor Hon (31/1/2001)
• Cantonese Pronunciation Dictionary - "佐" pronunciation (zo3) (accessed by Mr. Chan Hong Kin on August 12, 2019).