I CAME across an interesting encounter in 2016.
It occurred at China town when I went to buy a drink.
In that shop was another young man approaching the Chinese woman sitting behind the tiller.
I took my soft drink and followed him to make the purchase.
While waiting for my turn, I overheard the young man speaking to the Chinese lady in her language.
I was quite surprised.
This is because I understood not a single Chinese language word, yet here was this young man speaking it fluently with the Chinese lady.
After buying my drink off, I approached the young man and asked him how he was able to speak Chinese.
He told me he had just returned from Taiwan after completing his studies.
While in Taiwan, he learn mandarin, the official Chinese language spoken in most Asian countries.
Last year, I met Oliver Weng from the Taiwanese Embassy in Honiara and ask about the language.
He told me that it was a requirement that Solomon Islands students who went to study in Taiwan must study mandarin in their first year before going for their main field of studies.
Later on he told me that they are offering it at the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) for interested students to study it here.
He said that they are doing it here for those who may not have the chance to study in Taiwan but want to study mandarin.
Just last week, I had the opportunity to ask the mandarin teacher about her class at SINU.
This is her response:
“I admire the courage of the Solomon Islanders to take up the challenge of learning this notoriously ‘difficult’ language, which is so different from English,” Kuei Mi said.
“It’s been over one year since my arrival in Solomon Islands, and I feel always very grateful for having met so many wonderful students along the way.
“I have had the chance to have students from different backgrounds getting together in my Mandarin classes and sharing a fun time of learning.
“They are either businesspeople, employees in public or private sectors, students, or housewife, all eager to learn a new language and new culture.”
Ms Mi she said although some students drop the class for different reasons, the rest still keep their enthusiasm and are determined to move up to a decent Mandarin proficiency level.
“At last year’s Taiwan National Day, I invited some of these students to perform Mandarin and Taiwanese songs in front of our distinguished guests, and they have done a great job.
“The audience was amazed. I am really proud of them and hope they will stick it out to the end and be able to speak mandarin as fluently as they wish.”
Ms Mi said it is true compared to the neighboring countries, for example Australia, PNG or Fiji where mandarin courses are in high demand; it seems that Solomon Islanders are less aware of the importance of Mandarin proficiency.
“Actually, mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world with 1/4 of the world’s population speaking this language.
“With the increasing influence of Mandarin speaking world, mandarin is becoming a must for people working in different fields, especially those who in leadership positions.
“For example, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the co-founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg both speak fluent Mandarin, and members in the American first families and European royal families are also learning Mandarin.”
Ms Mi said that the importance of Mandarin is so obvious that it is in over 2,300 schools’ curriculum in over 100 countries, with more than 30 million people who are learning it actually.
“Solomon Islands National University has also the privilege to have this course on its program, thanks to Taiwan government’s sponsorship and it’s open to everyone.
“Solomon islanders shouldn’t miss out this precious opportunity to learn it and gain more opportunities for job and life, especially when the dominant business people in Solomon Islands are Mandarin speakers.
“In my Mandarin classes, students learn how to speak, read and write basic useful Mandarin, all through lively interactive activities.
“Apart from the linguistic part, I also introduce to my students Taiwanese and Chinese cultures and values, because I believe language and culture are inseparable.
“I conduct my classes according to students’ aptitude and I want them to learn with a confident and joyous spirit.
“From students’ feedback, I know they just enjoy the class like I do, and that motivates me to share more knowledge of this language with them.
“I come across quite often people who want to study in Taiwan, actually Taiwan government offers annually scholarships to Solomon Islanders, and I have an advice for these potential candidates.
“I myself have stayed during five years in France for my studies, and I know deeply how important it is to speak the language of your host country.
“It will help you to integrate into the society and enjoy your stay, the contrary will bring you a lot of frustration and unpleasant experiences, hindering you from appreciating the country you visit, and that would be a big shame.
“So if you really want to study in Taiwan, learn the Mandarin from now.
“You don’t need to go very far, Taiwan government provides a qualified teacher right here at SINU for Solomon Islanders to take advantage of.
“So if you also want to make Mandarin speaking one of your New Year resolutions, and you want to stand out from the others by speaking Mandarin, you can join our joyous Mandarin learning family, the new lot of Mandarin classes at SINU will be available starting February 5, 2018.
“The course is opened to everyone.”
According to students who learned mandarin, it is very interesting to learn this Chinese language.
Simon Tewa Tomasusu (ICDF scholarship recipient) said that as an international student to Taiwan, Mandarin is very important for him, especially in his study.
“So that I can speak freely with Taiwanese, Chinese or anyone who speaks Mandarin.”
A house wife who learned mandarin at SINU, Wu Bao La (housewife, beginner Level 1) said that she learn Mandarin because she was married to a Chinese man and always travel to China.
“Almost every place the workers don’t speak English at all and even the directions are in Mandarin.
“Easy way to communicate is to learn.”
Former Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare in one his speeches said that Mandarin is a business language in the world therefore everyone needs to learn it.
He thanked the government of Taiwan for sponsoring the mandarin class at SINU, which the opportunity for locals to learn what is now an international language.
By LESLEY SANGA
