My apologies. I assumed from your article that you were Chinese and that this article, in English, must have been the result of a Chinese-to-English translator. If English is your second language then I offer you salute because your grasp of the language is excellent.
My friend ... I have traveled to/worked in 57 countries. I speak English, French and a smattering of several other languages. And, I am a writer and a poet.
Language is important to me and I know how hard it is to speak a second language well. My intention was to pay you a high compliment.
Mandarin is a tonal language based upon written pictographs. English is a syllabic language based upon an alphabet. While both languages utilize "subject, verb, object" syntax, the two deviate substantially as Mandarin is a "topic-prominent language" in which the subject is often omitted.
These are very different languages and it is not easy for a speaker of one to learn to speak the other, let alone master it. The overwhelming majority of Chinese English speakers I've met (I'm Canadian and there are large Chinese populations in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal) do not speak English as well as you do.
language mastery is something I frequently compliment when I come across it.If I have given you offense, I truly apologize as this was not my intention. I'm friends with @cryptogee. I'm sure he would tell you that
Indeed, I have, on several occasions, complimented his English writing skills... and English is his first language.
The overwhelming majority of Chinese English speakers I've met (I'm Canadian and there are large Chinese populations in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal) do not speak English as well as you do.
I'm not offended just so you know. Language is just another tool for communication to me. Personally, I would not raise my eyebrows even if a South Africans can speak in Chinese fluently.
No blaming at all for your environment gives you that stereotyped impression. Appreciate very much that you care to explain it. And I rather not to address myself as a good Eng speaker LOL.
@fr3eze,
My apologies. I assumed from your article that you were Chinese and that this article, in English, must have been the result of a Chinese-to-English translator. If English is your second language then I offer you salute because your grasp of the language is excellent.
Lesson learned (yet again): Don't assume.
Well, I'm gonna assume you never meet any Chinese who has good command over English?
Thanks for the support anyhow.
@fr3eze,
My friend ... I have traveled to/worked in 57 countries. I speak English, French and a smattering of several other languages. And, I am a writer and a poet.
Language is important to me and I know how hard it is to speak a second language well. My intention was to pay you a high compliment.
Mandarin is a tonal language based upon written pictographs. English is a syllabic language based upon an alphabet. While both languages utilize "subject, verb, object" syntax, the two deviate substantially as Mandarin is a "topic-prominent language" in which the subject is often omitted.
These are very different languages and it is not easy for a speaker of one to learn to speak the other, let alone master it. The overwhelming majority of Chinese English speakers I've met (I'm Canadian and there are large Chinese populations in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal) do not speak English as well as you do.
language mastery is something I frequently compliment when I come across it.If I have given you offense, I truly apologize as this was not my intention. I'm friends with @cryptogee. I'm sure he would tell you that
Indeed, I have, on several occasions, complimented his English writing skills... and English is his first language.
I'm not offended just so you know. Language is just another tool for communication to me. Personally, I would not raise my eyebrows even if a South Africans can speak in Chinese fluently.
No blaming at all for your environment gives you that stereotyped impression. Appreciate very much that you care to explain it. And I rather not to address myself as a good Eng speaker LOL.