It's important to note that "Cantonese" can refer to several things:
* The Cantonese language: This is a member of the Yue Chinese language family, spoken primarily in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hong Kong.
* Cantonese culture: This encompasses the unique traditions, customs, cuisine, and arts of the Cantonese people.
* The Cantonese people: This refers to the people who live in the Cantonese-speaking region of southern China.
While Cantonese has roots in the Pearl River Delta, it has spread through migration and trade throughout history, influencing languages and cultures across Southeast Asia and beyond. Today, it's spoken by tens of millions of people worldwide, making it one of the most widely spoken Chinese languages.