We recently had a barbie where both English and Chinese services came together to "interact". First off, people who organised it, like Kat, Andrew and co., as well as others who pitched it are to be commended for their work - thank God and thank them that it was a great delicious event :).
*warning: Rant ahead*
My reflections however center on the irony of the event, most visibly demonstrated when the 2 services were asked to participate in certain activities together. These activities included the English service members, being asked certain "trivia" questions, in CHINESE, with no translation provided. Phew, thank God for that; I've always struggled with trivia, but not understanding the questions fixes all that!
The most ferrous-filled irony of the night occured when someone was speaking in Chinese about how great it was that the Chinese and English could come together to interact (or something to that effect), again with NO translation. When our Pastor and some other members asked that English be used or a translation provided, someone cheekily said "Sorry, my England no very good". Laughs all around, then back to a foreign language.
Ah, yes, the irony of saying "We love your participation, but we don't really care". /rantmode
And so a crossroads is once again met - having come with a real desire to support these initiatives, does one persist in faith, or shake the dust off the soles of my shoes? Is it a relationship that is in need of resuscitation, or are we beating a dead horse? (note: forgiveness and persistence are 2 very different things!)
*warning: Rant ahead*
My reflections however center on the irony of the event, most visibly demonstrated when the 2 services were asked to participate in certain activities together. These activities included the English service members, being asked certain "trivia" questions, in CHINESE, with no translation provided. Phew, thank God for that; I've always struggled with trivia, but not understanding the questions fixes all that!
The most ferrous-filled irony of the night occured when someone was speaking in Chinese about how great it was that the Chinese and English could come together to interact (or something to that effect), again with NO translation. When our Pastor and some other members asked that English be used or a translation provided, someone cheekily said "Sorry, my England no very good". Laughs all around, then back to a foreign language.
Ah, yes, the irony of saying "We love your participation, but we don't really care". /rantmode
And so a crossroads is once again met - having come with a real desire to support these initiatives, does one persist in faith, or shake the dust off the soles of my shoes? Is it a relationship that is in need of resuscitation, or are we beating a dead horse? (note: forgiveness and persistence are 2 very different things!)
2 comments:
This is not something new. It has been happening ever since the very beginning.
Everyone needs to take into account the other parties. However, people these days just think about themself or their own clique.
Even in Chinese service, we often heard people communication in Foochow or their local dialect. Neglecting others who can't understand.
Hence, I always rejected the ideas of them speaking in their local dialect especially when outsiders around.
The best way is to use the common language.
Mandarin in Chinese service.
English in English service.
When combined, English as medium.
If can't do it, why even bother combined? Just to make up the numbers?
Funny!
Hi Sing Chee,
This may be slightly out of topic but I couldn't find a personal contact. I'm a journalism student at Monash and am writing an article for the Uni. The article is an introspective look at Asian communities and their efforts to integrate in Melbourne.
Your experience here would be a valuable addition to my report and I was hoping I could speak with you further. The article is not intended to victimise or criminalise any party but to serve a mediatory purpose.
You have a great blog here and I am willing to give the blog a shoutout in my article as well. Hope to hear from you soon and you can reach me through email at
skvet1@student.monash.edu.au
I'll give you more details upon contact.
Regards,
Suresh
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