April week 1

English VS Mandarin

It is quite a known fact that the English language is the universal language spoken whenever we communicate or deal with people from different places be it if the other party understands or not. Following English is French at the top of the list, for as long as it has been so. However it is undeniable that the stronghold of these languages are being threatened by the recent shift of prominence and influence to Mandarin, the native language of Chinese. This is largely due to the economic expansion of China in recent decades that is bringing about much focus on its people and culture as foreigners begin to invest more and cease opportunities from the developing nation. All eyes are on China as they say, where it has become the global economic hub, the place that promises good job prospects and where each international-based company should have a place in. In order that businessmen and anyone looking for more privileges in China to reap its benefits and to be assured of their place there, they know that they have to master the people's language, Mandarin. Inevitably, the drive to learn Mandarin has been spreading like wild fire around the globe where Europeans who no one ever thought would be learning Mandarin one day is doing just that and middle-schoolers there are being encouraged to take Mandarin classes. What an overturn of situation especially when English has always been the number one.
Now this is actually quite concerning to me as I have no background at all in Mandarin. I am always pressurized by my elders about how I am suppose to compete globally in the next 5 years without Mandarin proficiency. How am I going to handle the task of communicating and establishing good ties with people from that region in order to win their favour in business deals? It is more disconcerting for me when being of that race but not knowing the language, quite embarrassing. Well I cannot blame my past, not being enrolled into a Chinese vernacular school or not being made accustomed to speaking mandarin as a toddler, as the saying goes where there's will, there's a way. If I had wanted to learn it sincerely, by now I would have some basics maybe from self-study or tuition classes but I never pushed for it. So the blame is on me. Having said that, the issue of English vs Mandarin is not something we can control, we will just have to see in time and it is definitely not an issue worthy to be overplayed and disputed about. It's just a cultural observation and outlook that does not affect much.
As for my case having only English and Bahasa Malaysia in my resume, I know that I have to step up my command of these languages especially English. I am ashamed for my standard of English is quite disappointing where most of the time we intentionally speak in broken English or rather 'Manglish' at school and at home. Being the only universal language I know, I should be well versed and flawless in English so that my uncle would not have the chance to criticize my shallow grasp of the language. Honestly, what I know is only scratching the surface and therefore I should continue to improve and make progress so that there will less to be ashamed about.