This blog brings Houston and Tainan to the same time zone. Students from IHSS and De Guang get to compare and contrast the similarities and differences of their cultures.
A banana. A twinkie. Whichever people refer to me as, I've always been perceived as yellow on the outside, and white on the inside. Many of my friends have told me that the only thing that makes me Asian are my eyes. Growing up in America, English was my mother tongue, while Chinese was the foreign language. Going to school, I would speak to all my teachers and classmates in English, but at home, I would only communicate with my parents using Chinese. Even my siblings and I speak to each other in English. It's a bit weird when we use Chinese to speak to each other, and we often end up laughing at how we sound speaking the language. Being the first generation born in America, my parents didn't want me to lose my Asian heritage. After all, America and Asia are on completely different hemispheres, miles away from each other, separated by an ocean. As a little girl, I always assumed I was just purely Chinese, mainly because my parents were born in Taiwan. But also because many of my classmates would refer to me as the "Chinese girl." As a child, I attended Chinese School every Saturday. From the very basics of zhuyin to actually learning how to listen, read, and write characters, it all used to seemed so foreign to me - it still does sometimes. Talking to my parents or even my native speaker friends, it was always difficult for me to speak only using Chinese. I would sometimes resort to using “Chinglish,” the combination of Chinese and English. When I had to be a translator for some Chinese students, I found it challenging for me to communicate with them. They didn't understand English, and my Chinese was limited. I found myself speaking "Chinglish" to them, but to no avail. The perplexed look of their faces was a sure sign they were clueless as to what I was saying. This motivated me to improve my Chinese so that I can be fluent in two languages. My Asian friends say I'm American. However, my American friends say I'm Asian.
So what exactly is considered being "Asian"? What is considered being “American”? If I were to define them by stereotypes, then I am a combination of both. A line can't be drawn to define who I am – no boundary can define who anyone is. Well, I'm Asian because I look Asian – black hair, brown eyes, yellow skin. Not only that, I make straight-A's. And people say, "It's not C-sian or B-sian, it's A-sian." I also fit perfectly into the stereotype that “Asians are good at math.” Math and I just click. And apparently, I have no social life. Many believe all I do when I go home is study, study, and more study. It is true that I don't go out as much as many of my other classmates do, but I do relax when I can. I do study to make sure I understand the material being taught, but other than that, I believe I'm a normal, typical teenager. So how exactly am I “American.” Well, my eating utensils normally consists of using a spoon and fork. I can definitely see the culture difference when my family is eating because my parents are using chopsticks, while my siblings and I are using spoons and forks. Only when spoons and forks are not available will I ever use chopsticks. The thing about using chopsticks is that I find myself having trouble picking up rice. It makes me wonder how my parents and all the other Chinese people are able to use them so easily. Also, my friends say I dress American – casual. Wearing t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. Casual clothing is comfortable clothing; everyone wears it! And I also speak without accent. But I feel that should be a given, because any person growing up in America would not have an accent anyways. Despite what people say, I'm still glad I'm an ABC because I'm bilingual. And although many native speakers can speak English and Chinese, I don't speak with an accent like they do. I can speak like an "American," and also like an "Asian." I embrace two cultures because I am a part of both cultures. I get to celebrate all the American holidays as well as all the Chinese ones as well. More holidays to enjoy, more presents to receive. At the end of the day, I'm proud of being an Asian American.
HI Elaine,im Jay.(ABC'S ONE. JK^o^) mhm. like you say. you know i am your firend, i don't know what to say after i read it. it is so touch my heart, and you know my English limite. So dont laugh at me if i say someting woring. yeah, you are right, you know i have some problem like your, they keep saying that i act like a ABC, i am kind of confuse. (JK) anyway i am so proud of myself, because i can understand all you say. wow... But it has more challenge comes to me. i am so honor that you are my friend, so we can Complementary. It is diffcult to a person who comes to the new country. No friends, no communication with the people who speak English. Now, about 3 years later, i have friends all around me from diffrent countries. America is not like china, here we go out, each family should has a car, just like everyone has a bicycle. this is America.
I agree Elaine's comment.I have cousins who was born in America.Their situation is just like you.When they came back to Taiwan,they use chiglish to communicate with my family.Sometimes my grandparents or my sister don't understand what they're talking about.I don't care the Chinese or American identity.If you are,you're always are.If you choose to give up this identity,then just be yourself.But it's quite hard to change the old generations mind.If I can speak two languages very well.I think it'll be excellent.
I am learning Japanese and English now. In fact,it is very helpful for us to learn a lot of language.When we study abroad in the future,it is very useful.But my favorite language is Taiwanese!! :)
I think it will be an expressive experient for you. Although it's difficult, practice makes perfect. I also learn some languages and it's not an easy thing for me, either. So, let's work it out! :)
I do envy the Asians who moves to another country.I want to do that,too.But I still need to work on my english skills.I need a big improvement of skills.Even it's difficult,I will do my best.
美国是一个民族大熔炉! There have many different kinds of people. I have never been to US. But my mom has been there for several times,and she took a lot of pictures. the seces there were really really pretty!
I hope I can go there before I graduate from senior high school.
People who immigrate to another country is very difficult. Thay have to relearn and adapt new life, environment, culture and language. But, if you adpat the life, you would catch many colorful things in this country.=)
Actually, you think you have many troubles to being a ABC in America is a big or impossible dream to many people. Many people wanna to be bilingual as possible as they can in Taiwan. We wanna speak good English surly. In my opinion, it's not awful to being an Asian and living in America. Our subject is "Apply English," we get many troubles and frustrations when we're learning or testing. I'm going to crazy to change the tense all the time and the other grammar! I admire your life with all my heart, Elaine.
A banana. A twinkie. Whichever people refer to me as, I've always been perceived as yellow on the outside, and white on the inside. Many of my friends have told me that the only thing that makes me Asian are my eyes. Growing up in America, English was my mother tongue, while Chinese was the foreign language. Going to school, I would speak to all my teachers and classmates in English, but at home, I would only communicate with my parents using Chinese. Even my siblings and I speak to each other in English. It's a bit weird when we use Chinese to speak to each other, and we often end up laughing at how we sound speaking the language.
ReplyDeleteBeing the first generation born in America, my parents didn't want me to lose my Asian heritage. After all, America and Asia are on completely different hemispheres, miles away from each other, separated by an ocean. As a little girl, I always assumed I was just purely Chinese, mainly because my parents were born in Taiwan. But also because many of my classmates would refer to me as the "Chinese girl." As a child, I attended Chinese School every Saturday. From the very basics of zhuyin to actually learning how to listen, read, and write characters, it all used to seemed so foreign to me - it still does sometimes. Talking to my parents or even my native speaker friends, it was always difficult for me to speak only using Chinese. I would sometimes resort to using “Chinglish,” the combination of Chinese and English.
When I had to be a translator for some Chinese students, I found it challenging for me to communicate with them. They didn't understand English, and my Chinese was limited. I found myself speaking "Chinglish" to them, but to no avail. The perplexed look of their faces was a sure sign they were clueless as to what I was saying. This motivated me to improve my Chinese so that I can be fluent in two languages. My Asian friends say I'm American. However, my American friends say I'm Asian.
So what exactly is considered being "Asian"? What is considered being “American”? If I were to define them by stereotypes, then I am a combination of both. A line can't be drawn to define who I am – no boundary can define who anyone is. Well, I'm Asian because I look Asian – black hair, brown eyes, yellow skin. Not only that, I make straight-A's. And people say, "It's not C-sian or B-sian, it's A-sian." I also fit perfectly into the stereotype that “Asians are good at math.” Math and I just click. And apparently, I have no social life. Many believe all I do when I go home is study, study, and more study. It is true that I don't go out as much as many of my other classmates do, but I do relax when I can. I do study to make sure I understand the material being taught, but other than that, I believe I'm a normal, typical teenager.
ReplyDeleteSo how exactly am I “American.” Well, my eating utensils normally consists of using a spoon and fork. I can definitely see the culture difference when my family is eating because my parents are using chopsticks, while my siblings and I are using spoons and forks. Only when spoons and forks are not available will I ever use chopsticks. The thing about using chopsticks is that I find myself having trouble picking up rice. It makes me wonder how my parents and all the other Chinese people are able to use them so easily. Also, my friends say I dress American – casual. Wearing t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. Casual clothing is comfortable clothing; everyone wears it! And I also speak without accent. But I feel that should be a given, because any person growing up in America would not have an accent anyways.
Despite what people say, I'm still glad I'm an ABC because I'm bilingual. And although many native speakers can speak English and Chinese, I don't speak with an accent like they do. I can speak like an "American," and also like an "Asian." I embrace two cultures because I am a part of both cultures. I get to celebrate all the American holidays as well as all the Chinese ones as well. More holidays to enjoy, more presents to receive. At the end of the day, I'm proud of being an Asian American.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHI Elaine,im Jay.(ABC'S ONE. JK^o^)
ReplyDeletemhm. like you say. you know i am your firend, i don't know what to say after i read it. it is so touch my heart, and you know my English limite. So dont laugh at me if i say someting woring.
yeah, you are right, you know i have some problem like your, they keep saying that i act like a ABC, i am kind of confuse. (JK) anyway i am so proud of myself, because i can understand all you say. wow... But it has more challenge comes to me. i am so honor that you are my friend, so we can Complementary.
It is diffcult to a person who comes to the new country. No friends, no communication with the people who speak English. Now, about 3 years later, i have friends all around me from diffrent countries. America is not like china, here we go out, each family should has a car, just like everyone has a bicycle. this is America.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree Elaine's comment.I have cousins who was born in America.Their situation is just like you.When they came back to Taiwan,they use chiglish to communicate with my family.Sometimes my grandparents or my sister don't understand what they're talking about.I don't care the Chinese or American identity.If you are,you're always are.If you choose to give up this identity,then just be yourself.But it's quite hard to change the old generations mind.If I can speak two languages very well.I think it'll be excellent.
ReplyDeleteoh! i feel english is very dificult.
ReplyDeleteChinese is interesting, too.
ReplyDeletemaybe Chinese can become your second language.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChinese is a important language now
ReplyDeleteand many forigner are learn the Chinese now
I think English and Chinese is a very special language:)
Practice makes perfect:D
ReplyDeletelearning a language needs a lot of practice!
If you want to learn something.
ReplyDeleteJust do it.
And do your best :D
If you want to lern something more，you have to practice a lot.
ReplyDeleteLearning languages can make everyone happy.
Learning different languages is difficult, but it is helpful.
ReplyDeleteLearning different languages is good and it is useful.
ReplyDeleteTaiwaness is also a good language!
ReplyDeleteI like English,but learning it is not easy :(
I think that study abroad is the fastest way to
learn English well!
Learning language takes time and patience.
ReplyDeleteI am learning Japanese and English now.
ReplyDeleteIn fact,it is very helpful for us to learn a lot of language.When we study abroad in the future,it is very useful.But my favorite language is Taiwanese!! :)
I think it will be an expressive experient for you. Although it's difficult, practice makes perfect. I also learn some languages and it's not an easy thing for me, either. So, let's work it out! :)
ReplyDeleteI do envy the Asians who moves to another country.I want to do that,too.But I still need to work on my english skills.I need a big improvement of skills.Even it's difficult,I will do my best.
ReplyDelete"because any person growing up in America would not have an accent anyways."
ReplyDeleteIs it realy?
practice:)
ReplyDelete美国是一个民族大熔炉!
ReplyDeleteThere have many different kinds of people.
I have never been to US.
But my mom has been there for several times,and
she took a lot of pictures.
the seces there were really really pretty!
I hope I can go there before I graduate from senior high school.
Learning different language it's fun!!!
ReplyDeleteIt needs to take a lot of time to learn.....
so ,it can find different culture from us!!!
:))
People who immigrate to another country is very difficult. Thay have to relearn and adapt
ReplyDeletenew life, environment, culture and language. But, if you adpat the life, you would catch many colorful things in this country.=)
I think learning lauguage is very important
ReplyDeletelearning different languages is very important,
ReplyDeleteand takes many time .
Learning all kinds of languages really takes a lot of time and energy! But when you go through it, it will be the most experience thing that you got!
ReplyDeletejust do your best
ReplyDeleteand keep going
Actually, you think you have many troubles to being a ABC in America is a big or impossible dream to many people.
ReplyDeleteMany people wanna to be bilingual as possible as they can in Taiwan. We wanna speak good English surly. In my opinion, it's not awful to being an Asian and living in America. Our subject is "Apply English," we get many troubles and frustrations when we're learning or testing. I'm going to crazy to change the tense all the time and the other grammar!
I admire your life with all my heart, Elaine.