Any Jordan Chan fans here?

I’ve always been fascinated by language. It could be any form of language. Even sign language is considered a language. When I was in college I had a deaf and mute classmate. Most of the time we interact using pen and paper. But sometimes we communicate using sign language. Simple stuff like “Let’s go for lunch” or “How are you?”. Those pretty basic sentences.

He passed me a book on how to learn sign language. It’s pretty easy if you have someone to practice with. I used to be able to spell my name but I have forgotten it now. Sigh… Maybe I should look up the book and practice. Hmmm… but who do I practice with? Wait a minute? Where is the book? I’m not sure if I still have it. Dang!

The first language I’ve learned was Cantonese. It started in school. I learned how to curse in Cantonese. Haha… Like MCB, KNN, TNS and etc. When I was working in a retail outlet during school breaks I would ask my supervisor how to say things in Cantonese. And I managed to impress some Chinese girls. ;)

I’m not really good at it because I never practice. And I never take note anymore. I used to have a notepad with sentences with their translations. I’m not sure if I still have the book. I have moved three times since year 2003. I need to look for it. There, the feeling of missing something…

So does learning to speak in Cantonese means I can understand Cantonese? No. I’m still not very good at it. But if someone comes to me and ask me in Cantonese and if I don’t understand it, I will just say “Ngo em sek theng” (I don’t understand “what u said”). Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.

Anyways, the idea of speaking foreign language is just for fun. Learning other language is something that I’ve always wanted to do. Too bad for me I like to learn things the hard way. Either by books or audio. And I do not have a learning partner. But does that really a problem? Plus I don’t go for classes. Maybe I should. :)

I would also like to learn how to speak Mandarin, Hokkien, Japanese, French and German. But German is too hard-core. My sister learned it. She’s taking German as her second language. I’d go for German too. If you can speak and understand German, you can study there for free. Kan?

Anybody wanna teach me any of those languages? Maybe I can offer you something in return. How’s that?

Anyways, Domo arigato gozaimasu. J’ya Ne!