Let’s take a trip back 51 years. The Cold War was in full swing, the Berlin Wall had just been erected, and President Kennedy delivered a landmark speech in Germany to a crowd of about 450,000 people. In a moment of unexpected humor, he remarked in a Boston-accented German, “Ich bin ein Berliner,” erroneously declaring himself a jelly doughnut rather than a person from Berlin. This slip-up illustrates how language nuances can lead to amusing misunderstandings.
Fast forward to last summer when my 15-year-old nephew, Alex, served as a counselor-in-training at a camp in New Hampshire. One day, he encountered a new camper—a young girl from China who didn’t understand English. His fellow counselors struggled to communicate with her using gestures and drawings. Alex stepped in, saying, “Rènshi ni hen gaoxing,” which he believed meant “Nice to meet you.” The girl responded, “Ni jùyou meiguo kouyin kepà,” which Alex interpreted as her pointing out his “terrible accent.”
Before writing this piece, I had no idea Alex even knew Mandarin. It turns out he studied the language for three years during middle school, opting for it over Spanish. Despite his struggles with pronunciation—he admits his accent is “really bad, very American”—he managed to convey basic information to the girl, helping her feel more comfortable at camp.
Now, let’s discuss Mark. Recently, he participated in a staged interview at Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management, despite Facebook being banned in China. His Mandarin skills, much like Alex’s, left something to be desired, yet he has personal motivations for learning the language. His wife is Chinese-American, and her family speaks little English, making it essential for him to bridge that gap. More importantly for Facebook shareholders, his efforts signal an appreciation for Chinese culture, which may pave the way for reopening access to the platform for over a billion potential users.
This raises the question: Are children who study languages like Italian or French missing out? Spanish might be an exception, given its increasing prevalence in the U.S., but how often do German or ancient Greek come into play? Many parents and educators believe that without learning Mandarin, kids risk falling behind in our rapidly globalizing world. The number of American students studying Mandarin has surged dramatically, from about 5,000 in 2000 to over 61,000 by 2009.
David L. Woronov, a corporate attorney based in Boston who assists Western businesses in China, states that while he wouldn’t advocate for mandatory Chinese lessons, he strongly encourages them—primarily for commercial reasons. However, most children learning Mandarin may never delve into international business or even visit China.
Returning to Mark’s motivations, there’s a compelling argument for learning Mandarin beyond professional prospects. Just as Kennedy’s slip didn’t diminish the goodwill of his message, Alex’s efforts to communicate in Mandarin showed kindness and respect. When I fumble through my halting French in Paris, it’s a gesture of goodwill, just like when my nephew helps a fellow camper feel at home.
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Summary
In today’s interconnected world, learning languages like Mandarin can offer children significant advantages, both personally and professionally. While the journey may come with challenges—like mispronunciations or cultural misunderstandings—the effort to learn and communicate can foster respect and understanding across cultures.