Language

The next point I want to make is about strangers and foreigners. Imagine first that you are someone from any other country in which you were taught very little English, if any. Your first day in the USA, you enter several convenience stores to buy some food and you are not presented with any food you are accustomed to eating. You flag down a taxi, but since you cannot speak English you are unable to get where you need to go. In fact, you are expected to speak English, and discriminated against if you cannot. Let’s say you do know how to say “Hello, nice to meet you, thank you,” or any other common phrases heard in every language. Are you complimented on your pronunciation? Are you told in any way that you have done a good job in learning English, or asked where you studied it? I’m sure you realize

Now take a look at China. Do you know a single Chinese phrase? If you are not afraid to say “Ni Hao” (hello) to a Chinese person, he or she will love you for it! They say it back, ask you “Where did you study,” and compliment your speaking ability. They are pleased, to say the least, which is more than I have said to anyone learning English, I’m sorry to say. Why do you think that is?