UIBE, 35ºC, sunny
This morning, the first thing we did in class was sign our 语言誓约 Language Pledge. This pledge binds all students on this programme to speak in Chinese, and only Chinese henceforth. Beforehand, I approached this very positively, fully aware that only speaking in Chinese is the best and quite possibly the only way to become fluent in Chinese: cultural and linguistic immersion is paramount. However, little did I know the frustrations this would bring.
In between class, I would approach other students and realised that I faced a few problems. First, I didn’t know anyone’s Chinese name. Second, I didn’t know how to express in Chinese what I wanted to say! Picture a toddler trying to communicate something to his parents before he knows how to say it; he knows exactly what he wants to say, but cannot express it clearly enough for his parents to understand. That his parents don’t understand is hugely frustrating. I am that toddler.
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