Being a
Malaysia and growing up in a multi-ethnics country is a privilege. A Chinese descent, I would always tell people that I am
Chinese Malaysian. I am proud of my heritage as a Malaysian. I learned to speak
in three languages fluently, amidst Malaysian ‘slang’ and also few other dialects.
However, while growing up in
Malaysia, I have also been labeled as ‘ABC’ (American born Chinese: not
sure why, when MBC might be more appropriate since I am born in Malaysia!),
banana (being yellow on the outside and white inside), OCBC (Orang Cina bukan
Cina; translated as A Chinese who is not
Chinese) and what’s not! I have learned to take
all that in my stride but sometimes I don’t feel comfortable when
people, CHINESE, gave me a ‘kind’ of look when I said I don’t read and write Chinese! They
always said how you could forget your root! *You know who you are!
Since moving to the States in
July 2010, I am comfortable here because everyone speaks what I understand.
United State being culture melting pot of many nations and peoples, English is
the common uniting language. Being a Malaysian who speaks three languages and
few more dialects, people are always amazed with our abilities to speak more
than one language. However, I faced one stereotype here, since I speak English
differently from how a Chinese (from countries whose native language is
Mandarin) speaks, people (read Chinese) thinks that I don't speak or understand
Mandarin at all!
I can't
count number of times people are surprise when I spoke in Mandarin and they
will stop what they are doing and look at me strangely and amazed! Many times,
I have used that to my advantage. Once, I uttered something in Mandarin to
distract my opponents in badminton to distract them from the game and won that
crucial point! Many times too I have keep quite and just observed the
conversation they are having!
Here is
one situation during the course of my work. I wanted to collect some East Asian
DNA and I asked from some people I work with in the department. After
explaining what I am doing and what I am going to do, here is the conversation that
took place.
Me: So,
would you help me by spitting some saliva in this kit? It's painless took about
5 minutes!
Chinese 1
(turned to her another friend and started to speak in Mandarin): I don't want give him this sample. Not sure
what he is going to do.
Chinese 2
(relying in Mandarin): Yah, me too.
Chinese 1
(turning back to me and replying in English): Let me think of this and will
give you the samples later!
Me: Ok
(and at the same time in my mind thinking, no you don't! Don't you think I
don't understand?)
I felt like answering them in
Mandarin and look at the smirk in their faces, surprised that I can understand
all their conversation all these while! However the sense in me hold that back
and just smile and said thank you!
That is
not just the first time I participate in 'silent' conversation and smiling in
my heart!
