[Thailand] Serichai Tatiya, Beijing Foreign Studies University
When it comes to China, what comes to your mind first? Is it the vast territory, the long history, the reputation as the state of ceremonies and decorum, or the renown as a home of delicious cuisine? You may have your own answer, but mine is very simple – Chinese language, because it is Chinese that makes me get to know this beautiful country and be a better self.
I got to know the Chinese language when I was a child. I was amazed to see a beautiful and poetical country through its language. With the encouragement of my parents, I had an experience to be in a Chinese-speaking kindergarten where I first met my Chinese teachers. They led us to sing songs and play games.
They told us stories and taught us Chinese. Since then, I have known that there is a country called China and there is a language called Chinese. In primary school, our Chinese teachers began to teach us Chinese pinyin (a Romanized system of the Chinese pronunciation). “b, p, m, f…” it sounded like melodious music, echoing in my heart. We were also taught to write Chinese characters: I could see the magnificent gate towers from the character “高” (tall); I could appreciate the romantic scenery of the gradual sunset behind the grassland from the character “莫” (with original meaning of “sunset” in ancient Chinese); I could see the hardworking in the field from the character “采” (gathering)… Each character was like a beautiful picture, depicting the poetic life. Beautiful as the characters are, it was really difficult for me to learn them at the beginning.
The characters were hard to pronounce, difficult to recognize, challenging to understand… In awe of this difficult language, I had even had the idea of giving it up, but at last, with my passions and my parents’ encouragement, I rose to the challenge. Gradually, I not only had a good grasp of the Chinese writing but also discovered the marvellousness of Chinese characters.
The character “吃” (with original meaning of “eat”), for instance, can be used in many phrases but with the completely different meanings. For example, “吃得开” (being popular or being sought after), “吃香” (being in great demand or being valued), “吃独 食” (taking the benefit by oneself without sharing with the others), “吃不消” (being unable to bear)… The way that a single character can be used in various ways illustrates the extensiveness and profoundness of the culture of Chinese characters.
Although I thought I had had a good grasp of many Chinese characters and phrases, in real contexts I still made some comical mistakes, from which I realized the importance of “cautiousness in speaking”. There was one time when I was chatting with my Chinese teacher in her office. She said she was going to buy something.
I politely said to her “老师您一路走好” (which literally means “take care on your way, my teacher”). She chuckled and I was in great confusion. She then explained to me with a smile that this expression was normally used for the dead (with meaning of “rest in peace”), not what I had supposed it to be. To express my apology, I wanted to help her with her shopping. I said “老师,我送您上路吧” (with literal meaning of “Let me send you on your way, my teacher”). This time she could not help laughing out loud and once again I felt puzzled.
Did I say anything ridiculous again? She put my hand in hers amiably and explained to me the true meaning of “上 路” (with a literal meaning of “set out on the way” but actually it means “to go towards death”). Now I still feel embarrassed and apologetic when thinking back on that moment. However, my teacher was so kind not to blame me, which helped me to memorize how to use expressions with actual meanings different from their literal ones. This also reminds me that it is really important to be cautious when speaking a new language!
Because of learning Chinese, I have gradually grown up and found my sense of mission. The longer I learn Chinese, the deeper my understanding of the saying “A good learning of Chinese will facilitate your travel around the world.”
Learning Chinese not only benefits myself but also makes me be able to help other. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world last year, many Chinese people on the Thailand-Myanmar border came to the hospitals for checkups. The doctors there were not Chinese-speaking and the Chinese people did not know how to speak English.
The ineffective communications and misunderstanding led to anxiousness and helplessness. I happened to do my physical examination there at that time and I volunteered to be the interpreter. I was very happy to see that with my assistance, the Chinese patients were able to get checkups and the doctors were no longer worried. It was a wonderful feeling when they thanked me, as what I had learned was applicable. I felt happy and warm to help others.
This is my story with Chinese language, which helps me learn a lot of knowledge about China and lets me be a better self. In fact, it has been my dream to study in China since I was a child. I want to see by myself whether the architectures are as magnificent as those in the costume dramas. I want to listen to traditional crosstalk and feel the authentic Chinese culture.
It is also my great hope to experience the “three excellences” of China: excellent food, excellent scenery and excellent people. However, I am not able to come to China as the pandemic is not over yet. I can only learn through online classes. Although there are imperfections, I will not be discouraged. I believe that the pandemic will eventually end and happiness will come as expected! My beautiful meeting with China, has just begun!
The story is from "My Beautiful Encounter with China" Essay Competition organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges (CSCSE).
