I Want to Speak Chinese
December 28, 2007
Dear Q: I’m a complete ABC — American Born Chinese. My Cantonese is horrid, and I know the only way to get better is to practice, but I feel awkward speaking my broken Chinese, especially around my friends who are fluent. How can I overcome my fear?
-Too ABC
Dear Too ABC,
The worse you karaoke, the more fun it is — for others, too. Your situation could be like that, but adults censor themselves a lot. We are hyper-aware of how we are supposed to sound, and jabbering in another language at the second-grade level is deeply unsatisfying, especially around witnesses. People also are mean. They try to find the things that cause you great hurt or intimidation, and go for it. Professionally, we refer to them as lawyers. Personally, they are friends.
In your case, no risk, no gain. You’re lucky to be around fluent speakers. You should put yourself in the position of being forced to speak. Restaurants are good because the exchanges are mercifully brief. If you are serious, you should get some extra lessons on the side, and try to incorporate the language into your life. Honestly, everyone loves a person who tries, and you will feel brilliant and full of esteem for the commitment and hard work that it takes.
Send your life questions to AskQ@asianweek.com.
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2 Responses to “I Want to Speak Chinese”
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Can you give some tips on developing vocabulary?
I can ask for a few dishes by name, but I wouldn’t understand if asked if I wanted sauce on that/wanted the meat cut up/etc.
I don’t have cantonese fluent friends, and live in a primarily mandarin area.
Thanks
Hey Maria… Cantonese is easy.. On Amazon.com there are several language CD’s for purchase.. and iTubes for you iPod has downloadable Cantonese lessons that you can listen to in your spare(ribs) time