Calligrapher

Today's simplified Chinese letters are written left to write with an ordinary pen. But traditionally, Chinese is written vertically with a brush. Above, a college student whom I met on Tiananmen Square, practices the ancient art.

Patriot Dreams

To connect with my flight to the states, it was necessary to make an overnight stop in Beijing. I arrived at 2:00 in the afternoon, so there was time for a brief visit to Tianamen Square, site of the 1989 protests. I am told that many Chinese are unaware of what happened, and the videos we have seen of the massacre have been suppressed in China.

In today's Tianamen Square people meet friends, play games, and fly kites. There are many young people. Next to a giant picture of Mao are Chinese words which ironically translate as "People of the Earth unite!" Thousands died in this place in hope of greater freedom.

Stars and stripes

I sighted an American flag shortly after going through customs in Detroit. At other times, I'm sure I've walked past the flag without even noticing it. But I stood there looking at it for a time, thinking of the nation it stands for and of which I am fortunate to be part.

Non-complimentary good sense

Shortly before Joe left China, I noticed a particular item in the basket of "non-complimentary" items in our hotel. Joe had noticed it way earlier. It was a package of condoms, which could be purchased for 8 yuen-- about $1.00. In case patrons forgot to bring these articles with them, I suppose.

It makes good sense, I think. Especially when you realize that compared with other nations, China has done an excellent job of containing the spread of AIDS. Ought we do something similar in America? Availability of protection is no sanction for inappropriate contacts, after all.

Maybe this gentle reminder to be responsible would not fly in the U.S. But consider: Chinese society, while very secular is very puritannical in its own way.

They're all speaking English!

When I landed in Detroit, I noticed several things right away: people were very well dressed and looked prosperous; the restaurants accepted American money; the American flag was flying; all the toilets were Western; and everyone was speaking English. Not only did they speak English, they were proficient at it!

In China, most people know a little English, but only the very educated will control our idioms and rules. The English used by Chinese native speakers who have not fully mastered our language is sometimes called Chinglish. I don't like the term; nor do I like the term 'broken English.'

The mistakes of a non-native speaker can be hilarious. Grammatical forms, sound patterns, and idioms are inappropriately transfered from the native language to what linguists call the 'target language.' The Nanjing natives found my attempted Chinese pretty funny, especially since my English is pretty good. The illustrative below examples are from http://pangea.stanford.edu/~pvermees/chinglish/index.html





























All humans have a native language, but to speak English natively in this century is a privilege. English at this moment is the pre-eminent international language. If one knows English well, one has access to special opportunities unavailable to native speakers of other languages. My recent trip to China, where I was welcomed and even lauded for my efforts, is an example of this privilege. All over the world, people need English and welcome teachers of our language with open arms.

English dominates commerce and technology not because of its beauty, but because of the power associated with its use. The special status of English is a result of now-defunct British colonialism and America's current military and economic status. There have been other international languages in the past: Latin, and later French. At present, English is in ascendancy, but this could change. We who speak English natively and love it should have a certain modesty about our good fortune.

It is great to be back in our land where the stars and stripes fly, excellent English is spoken, and yes... where there are wonderful toilets.