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Should Your Kids Learn to Speak Really Bad Mandarin?
Let’s rewind 51 years—back when the Cold War was in full swing, the Berlin Wall was freshly built, and President Kennedy delivered a memorable speech in Germany, addressing a crowd of around 450,000. In a moment that’s both humorous and cringe-worthy, he proclaimed in German with a Boston accent, “Ich bin ein Berliner,” which was meant to convey “I am a Berliner.” Unfortunately, thanks to a tiny grammatical hiccup, he inadvertently declared himself a jelly doughnut instead.
Now, fast forward to last summer. My 15-year-old nephew, Lucas, was a counselor-in-training at a summer camp in New Hampshire. One day, a new camper—a young girl from China—arrived and spoke no English. While the other counselors fumbled with gestures and drawings, Lucas stepped in to help. He confidently approached her and said, “Rènshi ni hen gaoxing,” thinking it meant “Nice to meet you.” She responded, “Ni jùyou meiguo kouyin kepà,” which Lucas learned meant: “You have a terrible accent.”
I had no idea Lucas even knew Mandarin, but he had spent three years studying it in middle school, having chosen it over Spanish. He admits his accent is “really bad, very American,” but despite his pronunciation struggles, he was able to communicate basic information and help the girl feel a bit more comfortable.
Mark Zuckerberg and the Importance of Language
Now, let’s talk about Mark Zuckerberg. You might have seen some recent footage of him speaking Mandarin during a presentation at Tsinghua University, where he serves on the advisory board. While Facebook isn’t accessible in China, Zuckerberg’s motivation to learn Mandarin goes beyond mere language skills; his wife is Chinese-American, and her mother doesn’t speak English. But, more importantly for his business interests, speaking Mandarin could foster a connection with China, potentially paving the way for Facebook’s re-entry into the market and a surge in new users.
So, are we at a point where kids who study languages like French or Italian are missing out? Spanish might be a different story, especially with so many Americans speaking it. But how relevant is German or ancient Greek today? There’s a growing belief among parents and educators that if kids aren’t learning Mandarin, they’re falling behind. The numbers reflect this trend: In 2000, about 5,000 students studied Chinese in grades K-12. By 2006, that number jumped to around 51,000, and by 2009, high school students alone numbered 61,000. Many argue that learning Mandarin can open doors.
David L. Woronov, a corporate attorney in Boston who helps businesses navigate China, believes children should be strongly encouraged to learn Mandarin. The primary reason? It’s a commercial advantage. However, most kids who study Mandarin won’t end up in international business or even visit China.
The Cultural Connection
Zuckerberg’s reasoning for learning Mandarin also highlights a less-discussed benefit: showing respect for another culture. Just like Kennedy’s mishap in Berlin, where the audience understood the intent behind his words, struggling through a foreign language can create a sense of connection. Whether it’s my awkward French in Paris or Lucas’s attempts to communicate with the camper, every effort counts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the debate continues about which languages hold the most value, learning even a little Mandarin can foster understanding and respect. Plus, who knows? It might just open up a world of opportunities!
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