Learning the local lingo helps migrant newcomers assimilate
December 31, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MIGRANTS from other parts of China are finding that the best way to blend into their new Shanghai environment is to learn the local dialect, which is distinctly different from Mandarin.
To help them learn the lingo, Ma Junbi, director of the women's association in the Xinjian Zhiye residential community in Minhang's Zhuanqiao area, initiated courses in Shanghai dialect.
The courses started in July and run once every two weeks. The classrooms are packed with people from all over China.
Xinjian Zhiye's 900 apartments are filled with migrants taking advantage of the city's public rentals and the district's job opportunities.
At a recent talent show held in the community center, more than 10 migrants gave performances in newly learned Shanghai dialect after about four months of classes.
Xu Yuexiang, a girl from Hunan Province, delivered a talk entitled "Our Residential Community," while Huang Wenjing, a boy from Fujian Province, recited the poem "Lovely Home."
Ma got the idea for classes in Shanghai dialect after visiting migrants' homes to discuss problems and needs associated with relocation. Language, it turned out, can be an impediment to feeling at home in Shanghai.
Ma said she spotted a book about learning Shanghai dialect on a desk in one home and realized that many newcomers want to learn the everyday street language of Shanghai.
"The aim is to get them involved in the city, starting from language," Ma said.
She teaches the free courses and has made friends with many of her "students."
The majority of them are young people who have come to Shanghai from often-poorer parts of the country seeking a better life. They work in various industries, such as services and technology.
Xu, who delivered the talk in Shanghai dialect at the talent show, said she has been in Shanghai for three years and often has felt distanced from locals because she can't speak the dialect.
Her home province has its own distinct dialect.
"Hunan and Shanghai dialects vary greatly," she said. "Sometimes that creates a lot of inconvenience for me."
Take shopping as one example. Xu said she was unable to bargain well in street markets where Shanghai dialect dominates. When work colleagues chatted in Shanghai dialect, she felt left out.
Xu was among the first to apply for the class. She said now she can speak "simple" Shanghai dialect.
Ma organizes a variety of activities, such as singing and reading newspapers, to create a fun environment for learning. She also invited local natives to visit the class and tell their stories in dialect to help students develop an ear for it.
"I met some obstacles at first because of the huge mobility of residents and because some residents brought their infants to the classroom, which disrupted coursework," she said.
Ma found many of her students have talents of their own, such as singing, dancing and cooking. They have been invited to show off their skills and share their experience with others in the neighborhood.
The poetry reciter Huang, a student at Huaxing Primary School, attended the class with his mother during the summer school vacation. He is a faster learner.
"I am now able to talk with my classmates in Shanghai dialect!" he said with pride.
Ma said she plans to expand the language classes next year to include more activities, such as tugs of war and knitting lessons.
To help them learn the lingo, Ma Junbi, director of the women's association in the Xinjian Zhiye residential community in Minhang's Zhuanqiao area, initiated courses in Shanghai dialect.
The courses started in July and run once every two weeks. The classrooms are packed with people from all over China.
Xinjian Zhiye's 900 apartments are filled with migrants taking advantage of the city's public rentals and the district's job opportunities.
At a recent talent show held in the community center, more than 10 migrants gave performances in newly learned Shanghai dialect after about four months of classes.
Xu Yuexiang, a girl from Hunan Province, delivered a talk entitled "Our Residential Community," while Huang Wenjing, a boy from Fujian Province, recited the poem "Lovely Home."
Ma got the idea for classes in Shanghai dialect after visiting migrants' homes to discuss problems and needs associated with relocation. Language, it turned out, can be an impediment to feeling at home in Shanghai.
Ma said she spotted a book about learning Shanghai dialect on a desk in one home and realized that many newcomers want to learn the everyday street language of Shanghai.
"The aim is to get them involved in the city, starting from language," Ma said.
She teaches the free courses and has made friends with many of her "students."
The majority of them are young people who have come to Shanghai from often-poorer parts of the country seeking a better life. They work in various industries, such as services and technology.
Xu, who delivered the talk in Shanghai dialect at the talent show, said she has been in Shanghai for three years and often has felt distanced from locals because she can't speak the dialect.
Her home province has its own distinct dialect.
"Hunan and Shanghai dialects vary greatly," she said. "Sometimes that creates a lot of inconvenience for me."
Take shopping as one example. Xu said she was unable to bargain well in street markets where Shanghai dialect dominates. When work colleagues chatted in Shanghai dialect, she felt left out.
Xu was among the first to apply for the class. She said now she can speak "simple" Shanghai dialect.
Ma organizes a variety of activities, such as singing and reading newspapers, to create a fun environment for learning. She also invited local natives to visit the class and tell their stories in dialect to help students develop an ear for it.
"I met some obstacles at first because of the huge mobility of residents and because some residents brought their infants to the classroom, which disrupted coursework," she said.
Ma found many of her students have talents of their own, such as singing, dancing and cooking. They have been invited to show off their skills and share their experience with others in the neighborhood.
The poetry reciter Huang, a student at Huaxing Primary School, attended the class with his mother during the summer school vacation. He is a faster learner.
"I am now able to talk with my classmates in Shanghai dialect!" he said with pride.
Ma said she plans to expand the language classes next year to include more activities, such as tugs of war and knitting lessons.
- 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.
