Growing up in the United States with very a traditional Chinese upbringing has taught me how both Mandarin and English shape who we are in very different ways. 

I realized that the foundation of both languages and cultures come from very different values. English encourages individual expression and open exchange of ideas while Chinese emphasizes harmony, respect and belonging within the collective.

When I was young, my teachers in the US would always asked us to challenge ideas and support our opinions with logic and critical thought; however, at home my Chinese parents valued obedience, so challenging what they said was seen as disrespectful. But if I was too quiet at school, teachers would think that I didn’t understand the class material. In Chinese culture, showing respect may be staying silent and only listening; on the contrary, in Western cultures, showing respect involves acknowledging opinions, making eye contact, and treating everyone with equal dignity.

This upbringing allowed me to understand that many other Chinese people who did not grow up in an English-speaking environment only learn English words and phrases without learning the mindset and cultural nuances. As a result, many Chinese people have difficulties integrating into western cultures, moving up into leadership positions abroad and creating sustainable relationships with western businesses.