So it’s been a while. We figured out that “Long time, no see” is probably a directly translated Chinglish phrase. Therefore, it follows that you probably speak Chinglish semi-fluently without even knowing it. What now, homies???
After taking language classes for a month, I’m beginning to formulate sentences and understand new vocabulary. On top of that, I can read and write a little. I had one of my more successful conversations yesterday. It went something like this.
After taking language classes for a month, I’m beginning to formulate sentences and understand new vocabulary. On top of that, I can read and write a little. I had one of my more successful conversations yesterday. It went something like this.
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Me: Where are you going to eat?
(Native) Friend: (mistakes for “where are you going”) We’re going to eat.
Friend: What did you do for the holiday?
Me: (After 30 seconds of thinking)… I went to the ____ mountain.
Later -
Friend: What are you going to eat?
Me: I’m going to eat dumplings.
Friend: The weather is very good today.
Me: (pretending to understand) Thank you.
Me: (double checking) What did you say?
Friend: The wea-th-er is v-e-r-y g-o-o-d t-o-d-a-y.
Me: (the light dawns) Oh, yes. Very good.
Other friend to friend: She can speak the language?
Other friend to me: You Americans never eat together, right?
Me: (with confusion and spoken entirely in English) ummm, sometimes we eat together, but not always.
Other friend: (actually understands) oh.
Me: Where are you going to eat?
(Native) Friend: (mistakes for “where are you going”) We’re going to eat.
Friend: What did you do for the holiday?
Me: (After 30 seconds of thinking)… I went to the ____ mountain.
Later -
Friend: What are you going to eat?
Me: I’m going to eat dumplings.
Friend: The weather is very good today.
Me: (pretending to understand) Thank you.
Me: (double checking) What did you say?
Friend: The wea-th-er is v-e-r-y g-o-o-d t-o-d-a-y.
Me: (the light dawns) Oh, yes. Very good.
Other friend to friend: She can speak the language?
Other friend to me: You Americans never eat together, right?
Me: (with confusion and spoken entirely in English) ummm, sometimes we eat together, but not always.
Other friend: (actually understands) oh.
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Okay, I may have had more successful conversations than this before. But it’s a good example of my spoken language level. It’s hard, after all, but my friends put up with me, which is great.
Okay, I may have had more successful conversations than this before. But it’s a good example of my spoken language level. It’s hard, after all, but my friends put up with me, which is great.
We have been taking classes in the mornings and studying and hanging out with friends in the afternoons and evenings. I would love to write more details about the work here, but I can't do it in a blog. Please yarp for us and our friends. It will be hard to leave them in a couple months.
I hope to write more soon!
