2024/12/11

Language barrier

When I first started going to the Wing Chun dojo in Hong Kong, the teachers and seniors spoke almost exclusively Cantonese. During practice, I was able to understand the movements and examples to a certain extent, but it was difficult to accurately understand the teacher's instructions and explanations, so I always just watched the movements of the students around me and somehow managed to keep up.

When the teacher gave a fairly comprehensive explanation or told a folk tale, there were many times when I nodded and pretended to understand, even though I could hardly understand it. I keenly felt that not being able to communicate in the same language creates a distance from those around me, making it difficult to practice deeply or to communicate.

As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do," and I realized that if I really wanted to learn the culture and skills of a place, it was essential to learn the language. So I decided to start learning Cantonese.

 

Challenge yourself to learn Cantonese

I started learning Cantonese during the COVID-2019 pandemic in XNUMX. With more free time due to social distancing measures and facility closures, I decided to use this time to get serious about learning Cantonese.

Cantonese is considered a Chinese dialect, but in reality it can be said to be a completely different language from standard Chinese. I found Cantonese pronunciation and tones very difficult. Cantonese has nine tones (six depending on the school), and it takes a lot of practice to accurately distinguish and pronounce the sounds. In addition, the large difference between the spoken language (colloquial) used in daily conversation and the written language (literary) used in newspapers and books is another hurdle for learners.

 

Effective learning methods

I studied teaching methods for English and Japanese language education in graduate school, so I used that experience to study Cantonese using the following approach.

1. Listen
2. Talk
3. Read
4. Write

Especially in the early stages, we made extensive use of audio rather than relying on text. This is the natural order in which people learn their native language, and is an effective method used in Japanese language education at Ivy League universities. Ideally, you start by "listening and imitating" the language, gradually mastering its rhythm and grammar.

The study material used was "CANTONESE in Communication: Listening and Speaking Book 1 & Book 2," a Cantonese textbook designed by the Chinese University of Hong Kong for English speakers. This material is a set of a book and an audio, and I used the audio as my main focus, with the text only as a reference.

・Practice at the word level
I listened to the audio and copied the pronunciation, paying special attention to tone and intonation, without opening my textbook.

- Practice at phrase level
Next, I learned phrases and practiced to acquire correct pronunciation and expression. After phrases, I moved on to sentence level, paying attention to word combinations and the flow of conversation.

Repeat thoroughly
I repeatedly practiced listening and speaking, and gradually mastered the rhythm and grammar of Cantonese.

Using this method, I went through the first and second books three times in six months. As a result, I was able to gradually understand the words and phrases I heard in my daily life and use them myself.

 

Cantonese learning outcomes

A few months after I started learning Cantonese, I noticed a big change during practice at the dojo. Little by little, I was able to understand the instructions my teachers and seniors were giving me in Cantonese. For example, when they were giving me detailed instructions on hand movements and foot positions, I no longer had to wait for a demonstration of the movements as I had done before; I could understand directly from the words. I feel that this change has significantly improved the quality of my practice.

Being able to speak Cantonese has also helped me to deepen my relationships with my fellow dojo members. When my teachers and seniors saw how hard I was trying to learn Cantonese, they became more accommodating in teaching me. After practice, when chatting or eating, we naturally started speaking Cantonese more, and the atmosphere at the dojo became more fun and warm.

I also gained confidence in using Cantonese outside the dojo. One day, when an old lady asked me for directions on the subway, I felt a great sense of accomplishment when I was able to explain it to her in Cantonese. Until then, I had always replied "I don't know," but at that moment, I was able to converse in Cantonese, and I felt the results of my studies.

After practice, Professor Hayashi and his fellow students

Changes in daily life

Learning Cantonese has greatly changed my life in Hong Kong. Overcoming the language barrier has deepened my training at the dojo and strengthened my bonds with my classmates. It has also deepened my understanding and affection for Hong Kong. I have once again realized that learning a language is the best way to connect with the culture and people of a place, and leads to my own growth.

Learning a foreign language is like learning a sport; as long as you take the right approach and keep trying, you will see results. I hope to continue practicing Wing Chun while improving my Cantonese.


Tucker

He became an apprentice (internal apprentice) of Master Lam Shue Chung, a direct disciple of Master Leung Siang, Ip Man's number one disciple, and became the first foreigner in the Lam school to obtain a master's license. While working as an assistant instructor at Lam Shue Chung Wing Chun Kuo Shui, he also presided over the Hong Kong Wing Chun Club in Hong Kong, which is aimed at Japanese people and others.

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