My Chinese vs. My English
I�ve been living in America for one and half years. Before I came here, I had been living in China for twenty years, which means I had spoken Chinese for twenty years. Although we took English classes since we were in junior high school, my English was still poor until I came here and began speaking English among Americans every day. My broken English then improved a great deal. However, I still often make a lot of mistakes everyday.
When I first learned English, I was confused about the answers of the negative questions because in Chinese, if someone asks me �Don�t you like it?� I will answer �Yes, I don�t like it� or �No, I like it�, but in English, I have to say �No, I don�t like it� ...
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�pants�!
Another thing that always makes me feel upset is when I want to describe something to other people. I don�t know what words I can choose because I am too lazy to expand my vocabulary. For example, there�s no singularity and plurality in Chinese, but in English, we have to change the format if we want to describe something greater in amount than one. Once, when I was shopping in the mall, a salesperson asked me with a super kind smile, �Need any help?� �Yes, can I try 'that' pants on? The blue 'one'.� I asked her and showed the pants to her. She answered: �Ok, come with me�. When she turned around, she said �A pair� to her workmate with a contemptuous tone�
The same thing has always happened to my mom. She was forty-five years old when she came here and although she studies English intensely every day, she still has a great deal of trouble communicating. Actually, sometimes she has the ability to express herself; she just doesn�t have the self confidence to do it. As a ...
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My Chinese vs. My English. (2011, October 28). Retrieved March 30, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/My-Chinese-vs-My-English/99983
"My Chinese vs. My English." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 28 Oct. 2011. Web. 30 Mar. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/My-Chinese-vs-My-English/99983>
"My Chinese vs. My English." Essayworld.com. October 28, 2011. Accessed March 30, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/My-Chinese-vs-My-English/99983.
"My Chinese vs. My English." Essayworld.com. October 28, 2011. Accessed March 30, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/My-Chinese-vs-My-English/99983.
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