Blogging
From Abroad

This is my official introduction to language barriers in Hong Kong. Lingnan University is located in the New Territories of Hong Kong (a.k.a the area where nobody around can speak English expect for people on campus). This part of Hong Kong is made up of the older people of Hong Kong. Therefore, they never really learned English, so when I go to the market it is much more difficult to ask for something. I have come to realize that body language is key in this country. You basically just try to use your hands and facial expressions to explain what you want.
Moreover, the locals think that if they keep on repeating the same thing over and over again in Cantonese that you will eventually understand it. Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way and I don’t know if they have figured that out yet. Now when you go to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon (the more touristy places) people will be able to speak some English and you may even feel like you are back in the states.
In addition to not being able to understand many locals, it is even difficult on campus at times. If you want to be active on campus you better be able to understand the posters on campus that tell you the times and places of club meetings. However, almost everything is in Chinese. You basically have to ask a local to read the posters to you if you ever want to get anywhere.
Classes are a little easier since the ones I’m taking are in English. However, a few of my teachers are from Hong Kong and I’m the only exchange student. Therefore, the teacher will be speaking English and then have to explain a word to the locals in Cantonese. The teachers will even put the Chinese symbols up on the board for the other students to understand.
Now there is one problem with a class I’m taking. I signed up for Judo, which I officially love! The class is all in Cantonese though. I basically imitate what the teacher is doing and some of the locals will translate for me as the teacher is speaking. It may be one of the neatest things I’ve encountered since being here as far as language barriers go. I have never actually needed someone to translate for me before in a situation like this.
It is also the same with the Rugby club that I’m part of for Lingnan. Most of the people in the club speak English, but one of the captains hardly knows English. When he is teaching a drill another local will translate after everything he says. I have to say that it pays to study the local language before you go anywhere. I’m slowly learning phrases to get by, but it has been a challenge. Let’s just say you have to be very patient and understanding when coming to a place like Hong Kong, but if you are then it will make for a truly amazing experience!