This is an awesome discussion topic!!!
Ok, on Cantonese...Cantonese has 9 tones. Tones are the way you say a word (ie, do you raise your pitch at the end of the word, lower it, in the middle lower it, etc)
Mandarin has 4 tones (5 if you count neutral tone). They both use the same writing system. Today, in China, they use a simplified writing system that was developed in the 20th century during the Republic of China Era and in the beginning of the People's Republic Era.
Taiwan (the relocated Republic of China Government) uses Traditional Chinese in writing. Additionally, there is also a Taiwanese dialect that is spoken as well. However, the government is trying to phase that out, which is causing a huge uproar.
Ok, on Asian Greeks...Asian Greeks do have specific philanthropies though, although mine does not have a specific one. As for incorporation, we are incorporated, but I'm not sure where..I'll have to ask my Nationals.
Going along with what SOPi Jawbreaker said...many AGLOs are regional. Some are expanding quickly(PDPsi, SYZ, KPL, aKDPhi, LPhiE, and maybe SOPi..not sure) while others are not(I can post info on this later if people want).
On Asian Groupings...Asian cultures do differ a lot from culture to culture. Grant it, a lot of the culture does have similarities, but that doesn't mean everyone gets along perfectly. For example, there is still animosity between the Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese in some shape or form usually (resulting from WWII and before...ie Rape of Nanking(1937) and Occupation of Korea(WWII). For me personally, I can tell different Asian groups apart to an extent. It takes a LOT of practice though. Unlike the African American population, which was mostly forced into coming to the US, a lot of the Asian Population is immigrant in nature, and therefore the distinct cultures are maintained much more than the cultural genocide that occurred during the Slavery period(and after) in American History.
Right now, you see communities of different Asian cultures in the US. For example, a strong Korean population in souther MD, or Chinatowns, Koreatowns, etc.
AGLOs right now are very diverse in that they encompass all sorts of Asian Cultures. My pledge brothers were: 1 Taiwanese; 1 South Indian(Tamil); 1 Korean; 1 1/4 Italian, 1/4 Polish, 1/2 Korean; and me(Scottish, French, English). So, you do see a lot of diversity in the Asian Greek community. The Growth of AGLOs is enormoues though(relatively). PDPsi is growing at the rate of about 2 chapters a year.
Oh, SOPi Jawbreaker...do you know Camilla? And are you coming to the party at Fur(in DC) on April 9th(it's PDPsi and SOPi)
Peace!
-Nate