Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Language Mishap Part 1
I always try to find as many information as I can before visiting any country. In case of Beijing China, one important reminder I found is language language and again, language. Despite my coleague's warning, Reza, whom already went to Beijing a month before me, I was a bit skeptical. C'mon it ain't that bad right? I was wrong.
I was confident because I've had experience with "language barrier" at least two times, Hungary and Korea. The thing is, I forgot that the last time in Hungary, people there at least can read alphabet plus I was with my friend. In Korea even merrier cause there were 10+ of us.
Owkay, first in airport. Someone forgot to register my name in the shuttle bus list so I had to take cab. No problem cause I asked the guy there to write down the hotel name in chinese. Short story the driver didn't manage to find the right way, instead he stopped across the hotel. I said (in english ofcourse), "can you drop me there?" Its a simple english but its alien language to him. He pointed out the cross bridge with wishi washu wang I don't know that was that. Anyway I didn't want to debate so I step off the cab and took my bag, thank god it wasn't heavy.
A shed of light appeared when I went out for a dinner that night in KFC, just around the corner of my hotel. Didn't want to end up starving I just pointed to one of the package menu. What a surprise the girl who served me came out with a clear and good English "hello sir may I have your order?" Wow this is great I thought, so I can have dinner whatever I want. This is another hint: If you want to eat without worrying too much about language, just head to KFC or McDonalds ;-)
The next day I wanted to go to this bike shop. Already prepared with mini map, address in Chinese and contact number. The cab driver nodded "Ok" when I showed him those. After 15 minutes we arrived in front of old building. I asked, "is this it?", again some Chinese words came out from his mouth. Funny you know, it was like back to the stone age. We communicate using hand signal.
So I found the bike shop? NO! I was pretty sure he pointed this particular building. I asked around and you bet, nobody can understand me. That was alright until a girl spontaneously ran when I asked "do you speak English"? ....Disaster!
I gave up, not only because it was late already, but the cold wind just cant be compromised.
I was confident because I've had experience with "language barrier" at least two times, Hungary and Korea. The thing is, I forgot that the last time in Hungary, people there at least can read alphabet plus I was with my friend. In Korea even merrier cause there were 10+ of us.
Owkay, first in airport. Someone forgot to register my name in the shuttle bus list so I had to take cab. No problem cause I asked the guy there to write down the hotel name in chinese. Short story the driver didn't manage to find the right way, instead he stopped across the hotel. I said (in english ofcourse), "can you drop me there?" Its a simple english but its alien language to him. He pointed out the cross bridge with wishi washu wang I don't know that was that. Anyway I didn't want to debate so I step off the cab and took my bag, thank god it wasn't heavy.
A shed of light appeared when I went out for a dinner that night in KFC, just around the corner of my hotel. Didn't want to end up starving I just pointed to one of the package menu. What a surprise the girl who served me came out with a clear and good English "hello sir may I have your order?" Wow this is great I thought, so I can have dinner whatever I want. This is another hint: If you want to eat without worrying too much about language, just head to KFC or McDonalds ;-)
The next day I wanted to go to this bike shop. Already prepared with mini map, address in Chinese and contact number. The cab driver nodded "Ok" when I showed him those. After 15 minutes we arrived in front of old building. I asked, "is this it?", again some Chinese words came out from his mouth. Funny you know, it was like back to the stone age. We communicate using hand signal.
So I found the bike shop? NO! I was pretty sure he pointed this particular building. I asked around and you bet, nobody can understand me. That was alright until a girl spontaneously ran when I asked "do you speak English"? ....Disaster!
I gave up, not only because it was late already, but the cold wind just cant be compromised.
Labels: Rants
# posted by Dodi @ 10:16 PM 
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