Language

Language is the bridge of connection that includes not only the meaning, but also feeling, emotion and culture in it. The way I speak to my parents and friends are totally different since the generation gap and the proprieties to elders. 

There are many jargons in the conversations with my friends. My parents will never follow what we are talking about. Such as we use the popular words that we usually use on internet or the abbreviation that we created by ourselves. If one do not talking with us very often, it’s hard to get a clue what we are talking about sometimes. Of course, my parents try to learn those words that they never think they are at the age of out of fashion. They want to know more about me, know more about the world, and I was very touched by their understanding.

Furthermore, when I am talking with an elder, I will change my voice, tone, and even the form of sentences. I have to get used to the formality of the language, or else I will be considered as impolite girl. The most different between formal and informal language is formal one has to be in a full sentence. In usual, I will say “dumplings move down there” instead of “If you want some dumplings, move down there.” See, I do not even use subject. The use of formulae is another difference. I do not use “please” or “excuse me” when I am talking with my friends cause I don’t want to be an alien. However, if you make jokes and use slangs with teacher and do not show any respect, retaking the course would be possible. There are many ways to express a meaning in Chinese, as long as I use the right way to right person.