I found this hilarious, but I guess I'll never experience this as I am part of the minority of Chinese-heritage visitors with next to no language skills in Mandarin.
My scenario (in broken mandarin) is this, after a general frustration/breakdown in communications:
Local:where are u from?
Me:Canada
Local:But you look chinese
Me:Yes I know because I am chinese
Local: But you don't speak chinese
Me:Yes I know, I'm learning now
Local:Aren't your parents Chinese
Me:Yes, but I grew up in a pretty western town and my parents didn't really force us (often I omit this as I feel it just adds to the confusion, I once said I was adopted!)
Local: Why don't you speak chinese???
*I groan and roll my eyes as this cycle is repeated once or twice more and is usually one of many i'll encounter that (and everyday)...sighhhh
Posted on: Language Power Struggle
June 11, 2013 at 10:07 PMI found this hilarious, but I guess I'll never experience this as I am part of the minority of Chinese-heritage visitors with next to no language skills in Mandarin.
My scenario (in broken mandarin) is this, after a general frustration/breakdown in communications:
Local:where are u from?
Me:Canada
Local:But you look chinese
Me:Yes I know because I am chinese
Local: But you don't speak chinese
Me:Yes I know, I'm learning now
Local:Aren't your parents Chinese
Me:Yes, but I grew up in a pretty western town and my parents didn't really force us (often I omit this as I feel it just adds to the confusion, I once said I was adopted!)
Local: Why don't you speak chinese???
*I groan and roll my eyes as this cycle is repeated once or twice more and is usually one of many i'll encounter that (and everyday)...sighhhh
We should have a lesson for us "hua chou ren"