Speak like the locals

Today I was out and about and I had been talking to a lady when her cell phone went off.  She started conversing in Mandarin.  Here was a chance to see how much I understood.  Guess what?  I was shocked to find I understood a lot more than I thought I would.  Certainly they were small phrases my teacher had taught me like “I don’t know” “correct correct” “you are welcome”  “thank you” – but hey I remembered and it’s been five years since I lived in Hong Kong.

For nearly six weeks I had Mandarin lessons at home in Hong Kong in the hope to learn the language.  It was offered to us by my husbands company, and as my children were young and I was somewhat housetrapped I decided to take advantage of the opportunity.  I already speak three languages so I was willing to learn another.  The children were young and in time it was too hard.    However, my teacher discovered that I really wanted to learn my numbers and how to bargain in Chinese.  It was fun learning how to count.  It was more fun to be acknowledge and talk in Chinese to local vendors and shop owners.  I loved that aspect of learning the language.  It certainly gave me way to connect with others.  I highly recommend learning the local language – though I have to warn you this is a natural phenomena for expats to feel more at ease in their new surrounds they learn the language.  Unfortunately, it is known that when the expat cannot master the language depression can set in.  Depression is high in expats, especially the spouse that is not working.