15 Jan 2010

Empty Compliments and the Language Learner

Meeting a new Thai person I simply said “Sawadis krap.” Without a second’s hesitation, he said, in English “You Speak Thai very well.” Was I supposed to feel encouraged? Should my head have swollen to monumental proportions because of this meaningful recognition of my linguistic prowess? I simply answered with a question. “How would you know?”

In Taiwan, I walked into the staff room of my new job and said to a Chinese teacher, in Chinese, "I am teaching level Seven-A tonight. Where would I find the resources and course outline?"

She answered, in English, "Wow! Cool, you speak Chinese." And then she walked away, without answering my question.

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