Related News
The rich returns of culture and language
By Raied Abdulgader |
February 23, 2009, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
I'VE been living in China for almost two years. I picked up Chinese during my university years in Saudi Arabia. At that time, I was curious about China, thinking it a mysterious Oriental country.
My uncle used to serve as a diplomat and lived in China for a year. He told me China was a big and beautiful country whose people were passionate and kind. It was easy to get along with them.
In his eyes, people in China lived an affluent spiritual life. They were proud, keen on self-respect and usually hid their innermost thoughts.
What he told me became my preliminary impression of China before I arrived. In fact, the ancient country's great history and culture had always attracted me.
After graduation from university, I was employed by Ivad, a German auto research and development company, and volunteered to work in China. I am now working at Anting Town in Jiading District.
Although there are a few employees here, most of them are elites and come from a variety of countries. With different backgrounds, sometimes we face some culture shock. Communication does matter. We usually get along with each other well with understanding.
Jiading District is a very charming place. I have been to Anting Old Street, Puti Temple, Confucius Temple, Huilong Pond and Fahua Pagoda. Each brings me the charm of the culture of China and proves that my choice of working in China is definitely worthwhile.
The community at Anting Town where I live has a good environment, and the residents' committee has warm-hearted staff. A few days before the Lantern Festival this year, I was surprised by someone knocking at my door. It turned out to be people from the residents' committee. They smiled and brought me tangyuan dumplings.
I know that dumplings are a must food for the festival. However, I forgot to buy some that day. It was really touching when they told me that they had made the dumplings themselves. It was the happiest Lantern Festival I have ever had.
The biggest return for me after coming to China is that my Chinese has become more fluent. What's even more amazing is that I have picked up some Jiading dialects. Sometimes, I say nong hao, which means "hello" in English, to my neighbors. They were astonished to hear it at first and turned up their thumbs to show their appreciation, which encouraged my sense of achievement.
My life and work in Jiading District is particularly happy.
Story translated by Fei Lai
My uncle used to serve as a diplomat and lived in China for a year. He told me China was a big and beautiful country whose people were passionate and kind. It was easy to get along with them.
In his eyes, people in China lived an affluent spiritual life. They were proud, keen on self-respect and usually hid their innermost thoughts.
What he told me became my preliminary impression of China before I arrived. In fact, the ancient country's great history and culture had always attracted me.
After graduation from university, I was employed by Ivad, a German auto research and development company, and volunteered to work in China. I am now working at Anting Town in Jiading District.
Although there are a few employees here, most of them are elites and come from a variety of countries. With different backgrounds, sometimes we face some culture shock. Communication does matter. We usually get along with each other well with understanding.
Jiading District is a very charming place. I have been to Anting Old Street, Puti Temple, Confucius Temple, Huilong Pond and Fahua Pagoda. Each brings me the charm of the culture of China and proves that my choice of working in China is definitely worthwhile.
The community at Anting Town where I live has a good environment, and the residents' committee has warm-hearted staff. A few days before the Lantern Festival this year, I was surprised by someone knocking at my door. It turned out to be people from the residents' committee. They smiled and brought me tangyuan dumplings.
I know that dumplings are a must food for the festival. However, I forgot to buy some that day. It was really touching when they told me that they had made the dumplings themselves. It was the happiest Lantern Festival I have ever had.
The biggest return for me after coming to China is that my Chinese has become more fluent. What's even more amazing is that I have picked up some Jiading dialects. Sometimes, I say nong hao, which means "hello" in English, to my neighbors. They were astonished to hear it at first and turned up their thumbs to show their appreciation, which encouraged my sense of achievement.
My life and work in Jiading District is particularly happy.
Story translated by Fei Lai
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
