Zipping into space and function!
Written by Zipporah, edited by Delicia. :)
As an architect, I’m always fascinated by the designs of buildings. However, what is most important to me is the space and function of it. For me, the heart of the building is created by how it is structured and then by how it is used. So, in many ways, whenever I think of how I have learnt languages, the heart of it lies in the environment I was immersed in and the way I use languages now. It is from reflecting on it from this way that I have come to realise how grateful I should be to my parents for having related a language learning environment for us since we were young.
While we were still staying in our hometown in East Malaysia, we were already in an environment that enabled us to embrace three languages: Malay (the national language), Mandarin Chinese (the language of my ancestors), and English (the second language taught at school). In a single day, we’d move through these languages. First, I’d be in a Chinese primary school (S. R. J. K. (C) Yuk Chin). The school gave us a good foundation for all three languages, but particularly in Chinese because most of our classes were delivered in Mandarin. Then, when we’d go home we’d be speaking English with our parents and later Malay with our kakak and others outside our home who don’t speak Chinese.
Suddenly moving to the UK in 2003 was like a shock to the system. I was suddenly thrown into a community where most spoke English and everyone seemed so different from me and what I was used to. Our home suddenly flipped too! My parents decided that we can only use Chinese to communicate at home: “NO ENGLISH AT HOME!!” They really didn’t want us to forget everything we had learnt in Malaysia. We were also sent to a Chinese school in Woking every Saturday until we (my sister and I) completed our GCSE and A-level in Chinese.
Chinese school was both good and bad. I don’t have any strong feelings against it apart from not enjoying the kind of homework they gave us. But I was beyond the stage where I had to learn Chinese from its building blocks, so it wasn’t hard. Even after finishing them, I rarely used it (other than the speaking and listening skills) in the UK. But, I think, it’s always good to be equipped!
When I discovered the potential of languages, I was on an architectural study trip in New York City, doing some research on a homeless shelter there. I wanted to know how they operated it and requested permission to observe them with a tour afterward. I really wanted to understand how the homeless shelter was spaced and how it functioned to fulfil the needs of the homeless as best it could. During my visit, there was an old Chinese lady who couldn’t speak English trying to get some food. According to her record sheet, she had collected some two days ago and needed to wait a few more days before she could collect more – but she didn’t understand. I stepped in quickly to help as a translator and the manager was glad that I had offered. He even offered me a job, wondering whether I would be interested to help them in the future. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right time – I was actually only a short study trip! But he still took me on a tour of the building.
Many years later, after having finally become a certified architect, my knowledge of Mandarin actually opened up a door for me when I thought it would be unlikely for me to get a job in London. My firm is based in London but specifically wanted an architect who would be able to move to China and work along the team based in Qingdao. I was more than happy to go!
When I first arrived, I was very surprised that none of my international colleagues could speak Chinese. This actually created a barrier between the international and local team, relying on a translator to do most of the communicating. So when our translator isn’t available or overworked, all our work just comes to a standstill. I am glad that my Mandarin has become an asset. It created a bridge between the teams and language no longer became a barrier! We don’t feel like aliens to each other anymore!
Space and function is as important for people as much as it is important for buildings. Having the right environment to learn languages in and the right function (the learning method, attitude and usage) is important. Living in China has let me realise this. It has forced me to speak Chinese and become more fluent and confident with communicating in it. Besides, I was so happy to have provided a link between the expats and the locals because I love seeing people coming together in understanding!
Out of all the sisters, I am probably least confident with my language skills. My head just can’t get itself to learn it quickly! But I love using language to help others and to build bridges that can improve teamwork.
What kind of things do you use language for in the present? Do you find you use it a lot in your work or personal life? Maybe you'd like to use it more often but can't? Maybe you'd like to learn a new language to help yourself and others! Let me know! We'd love to have a chat with you!
Bye!