Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Lost in Translation - Yanfang Huang

 

My Magic Power

          Many people have an American dream in my hometown, Taishan City, Guangdong, China. After the discovery of gold in the Western United States, many people from Southern China went to the U.S. to mine the gold. The U.S. has a developed economy with rich educational resources, so many Chinese wanted to immigrate to the U.S. The application of immediate family members is one of the key ways for Chinese people to immigrate. My husband and his family came to Chicago like this. I arrived in Chicago about three years ago. After coming to this country, I found some advantages and disadvantages about this country. One of the advantages is that the ability to study is unlimited for people my age, and one of the disadvantages was that I could not communicate with English speakers because of my poor English.

One interesting part of the educational system is that everyone can apply to college in the U.S. regardless of their age. When I was a student growing up in China, I always wanted to go to college. Nevertheless, my parents could not afford to pay my tuition, so I used to think going to college was an unachievable dream. However, I am so excited that I can achieve my goal in the U.S. now. I will never forget the first day when I went to school because I was so proud. I always remind myself to go to school on time every class day, and I always remind myself to do my homework and review what I have learned since studying at Harold Washington College. I have been able to make friends and learn many new things in school. Before I moved to Chicago, I went to work every day and felt like an auto machine that cycled the same things every day. I was listless in my life. Since I have been going to college, I think I am full of energy every day. This feeling is so good, and it is like a magic power.


Despite these positive changes, I have had a hard time communicating with Americans because of my poor English. I will never forget the day I got lost in downtown Chicago. About a month after I came to Chicago, my husband and I went to Navy Pier, and he parked the car in a parking garage. After waiting for the elevator for a long time, we went out through the fire escape. When we returned to get the car, the fire escape was blocked, and we could not find the elevator. I asked many people for help, but they could not understand me. It was getting late, and we were helpless. I felt that I was floating in the middle of the ocean and trying to hold on to something, but I could not catch anything. Fortunately, my brother-in-law gave me a call, and he translated for us. I thought he was my savior at that moment. Finally, we found the entrance to the garage. When I was in China, I could go anywhere by myself. I did not worry about getting lost because I could ask for help, and language was not a problem.


Everything has its two sides, both pros and cons. As an old Chinese saying goes, a thousand days at home are good, but half a day out is difficult. When people go to a new place, in addition to accepting the benefits it brings, they also accept and overcome the difficulties. As an adult, since I decided to immigrate, I have prepared to face all the difficulties and challenges. I think that strengths and weaknesses are like two ends of a scale, and I have been using my magic power to bring it into balance so that it is not leaning to one side. I believe that the scale will be balanced someday in the future.


19 comments:

  1. Hi, Yanfang, your essay is very closed to your life, and I can feel your happiness and nervousness too. Your essay reminds me of my mom, she is also having a poor English, and she is struggling to learn English too. l believe both of you will achieve your dream and talk with Americans smoothly.

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    1. Hi Dawson, English is so difficult for me. I hope your mother can learn English well. Let's work hard together. 💪💪💪

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  2. Hi Yanfang, thank you for sharing your story. I'm glad that you go to college as you wanted. In Korea, we usually go to school and graduate with friends have same age. Actually, I also thought I was too late to go to college, but now it is not a big deal. All the new challenges is worth. yours and mine too.

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    1. Hi Sol, I'm excited about going to college. I can learn anything I want, and I'm glad to meet you. Your English speaking is so good which encourages me to work hard. 😊

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  3. Hi, Yanfang, everyone has a right to decide wherever she go, or whatever she does. The fire of parking lot was not to hold you in the yesterday. Have you discovered the chips of fate that was slowly to fall in the scales of your pros side to balance out your disadvantage? You have been gently becoming a boat across the ocean.

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    1. Hi, Haobin, your replying makes me learn something new. We learn from birth to adulthood to old age. People and things have their own strengths and weaknesses, your attitude towards learning is worth me to learn.

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  4. Hi Yanfang! Thanks for sharing your experience. I think you are an incredible woman. Your English is so beautiful. When I hear you, I can notice that you know a lot of English. I’m sure you will find the balance :)

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    1. Hi Jay, you are an incredible woman too. When I read your essay the first time, it inspired me. How beautiful sentences! You are so confident, and I should always learn from you.

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  5. Hi, Yanfang. I’m glad you realized your dream of going to school. I admire you for chasing your dreams and making up for your past regrets. You are very hardworking. Take your time. I believe you will overcome the language difficulties in the future.

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    1. Hi Shanshan, I envy you for living your life so beautifully. I have to work hard because I have a bad memory. It takes me a little longer than others to remember what I learned. Although I don't know what your goal is, I believe you will achieve it one day as long as you work hard.

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  6. Hi Yanfang, thanks for sharing your story.
    While I was reading, I found the history between the United States and your country, China, interesting. On the other hand, something similar happened to me; I got lost in downtown Chicago. Luckily, I was with a friend and we were able to help each other. Anyway, I'm glad you're learning more English every day.

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    1. Hi Jaremi, I am so glad that you have a good friend. There are many tourist attractions in China. If you want to travel, you may want to consider China. I can be your guide. 😊

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  7. Hi Yanfang, I really love your story and how you are now achieving your goals. I agree with you it can be very difficult to talk to people when you have a basic English. I am sure that your English is better and it was just one of the lot of experiences that we will have in this country.

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    1. Hi Sou, it took me a long time to solve my language issues in the U.S. I am more confident in speaking English now. You are right, it is just one of my experiences in this country.

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  8. Hi Yanfang! Thanks for sharing your story! The good thing in the US is that people can apply the college in every ages. This gives people more chances. Howover, the language is a huge problem, but I believe the course in our college is a huge help for you. In addition, even though some experiences didn't bring positive experience, I think it also can be a nice motivation or learning experience for you.

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    1. Hi Yaen, my negative experience is my motivation to study English. Since I went to this college, my English has improved a lot. I am so glad that I can go to school again. I should be thankful for the experience of getting lost.

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  9. Hello Yangfang, I am happy for you that now you could do more things in life. I am proud of you. keep going, you are capable to do more and more.

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    1. Hi Meriem, thanks for your encouragement. For people who don't speak English as their first language, it is very difficult to learn English well. But it doesn't matter, as long as we are willing to work hard, we will succeed. Let's work together.

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  10. Hi, Liz, I think my English is not very good, I must continue to work hard. I shouldn't get lost in downtown Chicago again, I will pull over next time. 😂

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