Beauty of one's dialect
I recall a patient whom I saw in A&E who presented with giddiness. She was a lovely, smiley old lady, not one who turns cold and hostile towards you just because u're not in any way related to her. She did show some discomfort though, and I attributed it to her giddiness.
I started my history taking with asking how she was in Chinese. And she replied in Teochew, hoping that I would understand what she would like to tell me. Being Teochew, I understood her, and similarly, started conversing with her using my very limited Teochew. I liked listening to her accent. It was that of a typical Teochew, and it reminded me strongly of how my late Great-grandmother spoke. Grandpa still speaks fluent Teochew, but somehow, the accent isn't as strong as that above his generation.
For some strange reasons, she could tell I was Teochew, and started asking me where exactly did my ancestors originate from in China. Grandpa did mention this to me once, but I could not quite get the name, so I wasn't able to tell her exactly which village my family came from. She did though. It was a memorable conversation because I could literally see her "glow" when she found out that I was Teochew too. I did wonder if she was still giddy after all that excitement.
I managed to remember which province she came from, and after finding out my roots from Grandpa again, I was surprised that she came from the same place as my ancestors. It was a pity I cannot remember her name. I was even planning to visit her in the ward to let her know that my ancestors came from the same village as her. I know, for sure, that it would delight her tremendously.
The ability to converse in my own dialect, albeit limited, has brought some joy to some of elderly Teochew patients. Most tend to ask for my surname, and like what my elders told me, one can tell roughly whereabout my ancestry is from with that.
Today, I went to see my patient who just had a liver transplant. As usual, I spoke to him in Mandarin, only to realise later that he was Teochew. It was a great pleasure looking at him because I know he is recovering after such a major surgery he had. He was talking endlessly, and telling all of us doctors that we're hopeless for not being able to speak dialect. He glanced at me, and said to the rest, "Look at her...so young. How can she speak Teochew? Can u speak Teochew?"
I nodded. And he continued by asking me more questions to see if I could reply.
I could, but in short sentences. I was too embarrassed to converse properly with him, because it wasn't long since I actually started to speak Teochew to anyone (I never dared to...my parents always say my accent isn't perfect), and sometimes, I tend to "gather my words" before I say them out.
"I'm right. U can't speak Teochew. Teochews don't answer this way." he said with a cheeky smile. To be honest, all I wanted to see was that smile. The words didn't matter.
I had no idea what he meant. Perhaps my accent isn't anything comparable to my grands, but I am confident it was understandable (I don't see how bad it can get if grandpa understands), and I was sure I got my words right.
However, it's on days like this which makes me go "if only I can speak better Teochew...".
I started my history taking with asking how she was in Chinese. And she replied in Teochew, hoping that I would understand what she would like to tell me. Being Teochew, I understood her, and similarly, started conversing with her using my very limited Teochew. I liked listening to her accent. It was that of a typical Teochew, and it reminded me strongly of how my late Great-grandmother spoke. Grandpa still speaks fluent Teochew, but somehow, the accent isn't as strong as that above his generation.
For some strange reasons, she could tell I was Teochew, and started asking me where exactly did my ancestors originate from in China. Grandpa did mention this to me once, but I could not quite get the name, so I wasn't able to tell her exactly which village my family came from. She did though. It was a memorable conversation because I could literally see her "glow" when she found out that I was Teochew too. I did wonder if she was still giddy after all that excitement.
I managed to remember which province she came from, and after finding out my roots from Grandpa again, I was surprised that she came from the same place as my ancestors. It was a pity I cannot remember her name. I was even planning to visit her in the ward to let her know that my ancestors came from the same village as her. I know, for sure, that it would delight her tremendously.
The ability to converse in my own dialect, albeit limited, has brought some joy to some of elderly Teochew patients. Most tend to ask for my surname, and like what my elders told me, one can tell roughly whereabout my ancestry is from with that.
Today, I went to see my patient who just had a liver transplant. As usual, I spoke to him in Mandarin, only to realise later that he was Teochew. It was a great pleasure looking at him because I know he is recovering after such a major surgery he had. He was talking endlessly, and telling all of us doctors that we're hopeless for not being able to speak dialect. He glanced at me, and said to the rest, "Look at her...so young. How can she speak Teochew? Can u speak Teochew?"
I nodded. And he continued by asking me more questions to see if I could reply.
I could, but in short sentences. I was too embarrassed to converse properly with him, because it wasn't long since I actually started to speak Teochew to anyone (I never dared to...my parents always say my accent isn't perfect), and sometimes, I tend to "gather my words" before I say them out.
"I'm right. U can't speak Teochew. Teochews don't answer this way." he said with a cheeky smile. To be honest, all I wanted to see was that smile. The words didn't matter.
I had no idea what he meant. Perhaps my accent isn't anything comparable to my grands, but I am confident it was understandable (I don't see how bad it can get if grandpa understands), and I was sure I got my words right.
However, it's on days like this which makes me go "if only I can speak better Teochew...".