Let’s take a little trip back to 1963. The Cold War was in full swing, the Berlin Wall had just gone up, and President Kennedy delivered a memorable speech in front of a massive crowd in Germany. In a moment that would become iconic, he mistakenly said in his best Boston-accented German: “Ich bin ein Berliner,” which translates to “I am a jelly doughnut” instead of “I am from Berlin.” The addition of that indefinite article changed the whole meaning!
Now, let’s fast forward to last summer. My nephew, who we’ll call Alex, was 15 and working as a camp counselor in New Hampshire. One day, he encountered a new camper—a young girl from China who spoke no English. While the other counselors struggled with gestures and drawings, Alex stepped in to lend a hand.
“Rènshi nǐ hěn gāoxìng,” he greeted her, which means “Nice to meet you.” Her response? “Nǐ jùyǒu měiguó kǒuyīn kěpà,” which translates to “You have a terrible accent.” To my surprise, I learned that Alex had spent three years studying Mandarin in middle school, opting for it over Spanish. While his skills may not have been top-notch—his accent was quite distinctly American—he managed to communicate some essential information and made the little girl feel more welcome.
Now let’s talk about Mark Zuckerberg. Recently, he participated in a staged interview during a presentation at Tsinghua University, despite Facebook being banned in China. His Mandarin is reportedly just as shaky as Alex’s, but he has his reasons for learning it. His wife is Chinese-American, and her mother speaks no English. More importantly, for Zuckerberg, speaking Mandarin signals respect for Chinese culture, which could have implications for Facebook’s presence in China and potentially attract over a billion new users.
This raises the question: Are we at a point where children studying languages like Italian or French might be at a disadvantage? Spanish might have a solid case due to its prevalence, but how often do we really need to know German or ancient Greek?
A growing number of parents and educational institutions now believe that if kids don’t learn Mandarin, they risk falling behind. Though data is sparse, the number of American students learning Chinese has skyrocketed—from about 5,000 students in the year 2000 to over 61,000 just a few years later. Many argue that studying Mandarin could open doors for future opportunities.
David L. Woronov, a corporate attorney in Boston, suggests that while American children shouldn’t necessarily be forced to learn Mandarin, they should be strongly encouraged to do so. The main reason? Commercial opportunities. Yet, let’s be real: most young students won’t go into international business or even visit China.
Zuckerberg’s experience highlights a less frequently discussed benefit of learning another language: it fosters respect for other cultures. Much like Kennedy’s famous blunder, where the German audience understood his intent and the symbolism behind it, even if you stumble through a few words, the effort can convey goodwill. This is similar to when I fumble through poorly pronounced French phrases in Paris or when Alex helps a new friend feel more comfortable.
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Summary
In conclusion, the decision for children to learn Mandarin can be beneficial, not just for commercial prospects but also for cultural understanding. Mistakes in language, like those made by prominent figures, demonstrate that effort and respect often mean more than perfection.