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Singaporeans who can identify strongly with the sentiment “money no enough” during these bad times may be most tempted to jump on the China economic bandwagon. However, once they are in China and before they can strike it rich, they may find that what is “no enough” includes their command of the Chinese language and knowledge of current affairs and Chinese culture. My work has often taken me to China in the last six months. I couldn't help but feel rather discouraged in the beginning when talking to the Chinese as the tendency to slip into English was great. It was tough mentally translating what I wanted to say into the Chinese language. As a graduate of Chinese studies, I've never thought that I would one day almost run out of words to express myself in Mandarin. As I ponder over it, quite apart from my personal inadequacy, I think my experience reflects the plight of many young Singaporeans. Many of our common expressions have been “Anglicised” or “localised” so much so that we have tremendous difficulty adjusting to a purely Mandarin-speaking environment. Besides the less-than-desirable command of the Chinese language, a lack of knowledge of world affairs will also not stand Singaporeans in China in good stead. I'm convinced from my personal encounters that the understanding of young Chinese of domestic, regional and European and American affairs far surpasses that of young Singaporeans. Young Singaporeans also pale in comparison to their Chinese counterparts who are keenly aware of the changes taking place around them. This reminds me of a real-life example. Rear-Adm Teo Chee Hean was planning to visit a primary school soon after he became Education Minister. When a young teacher was told of the visit, he asked innocently: “Who is Teo Chee Hean?”. If the young in Singapore do not even know who their ministers are, can we expect them to know that between Chinese President Hu Jintao and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, which position wields greater power? Regrettably, examples abound that many young Singaporeans who want to “keep up with the changing times” and look for opportunities in China, seem unaware that the ability to speak Mandarin is no guarantee of an easy time in China. My experience tells me that one must be able to engage in meaningful exchanges of views and opinions and be humble before a more lasting relationship that is based on trust can be developed. I'm not sure how many Singaporeans have a good grasp of our economic situation now. When the people I work with in China recently raised the question of our economic pillars in the past and in the future, I was glad that I was able to discuss these with them in some depth. My conversations with them are fortunately not confined to trivialities like food and the weather. Indeed, it is not a problem for working adults to stay in tune with current affairs. There are so many ways that they can choose to enrich their knowledge, such as reading the newspapers, surfing the Internet or just watching TV. As for young Singaporeans who are still in school, the teaching of the Chinese language should not be “compromised” further because some students find it tough. Strengthening the teaching of the history of modern China in school is also of great urgency. This is not just about surviving in China, every Chinese should have a basic understanding of this. Schools and the community should organise activities to encourage students to comment on and discuss regional issues before thay make a fool of themselves elsewhere. They are our ambassadors once they are out of the country, how they are judged by others will have a direct impact on how Singapore is rated. On a personal level, any effort to upgrade oneself in terms of language skills and general knowledge can only be beneficial. Of course, even with the appropriate communication skills, it is one's attitude that will eventually open doors. I have seen some Singaporeans who speak Mandarin among themselves but switch to English to show off when they are talking to counter staff at Shanghai's Pudong Airport. I see this as a deliberate effort to create barriers that was both inefficient and unnecessary. Well, they ended up eating humble pie when they found out that service personnel there spoke better English than them! Yes, China is like a giant magnet that is irresistible. But if one does not wish to end up in a sorry state, one would do well to check if one is well equipped before one throws oneself at it. ·The writer is from the publishing industry. Translated by Yap Gee Poh.
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这年头，钱不够用或是“觉得”钱不够用的国人，可能会特别想搭乘中国经济腾飞的顺风车。但，到了神州，钱还没赚得够用，你也许会发觉：华文及时事、文化知识也不够用。 过去半年，因工作关系，不时到中国去。起初，会有些气馁，因为同当地人交谈，有时一些英语词汇会差点儿从口中溜出来，幸好能及时转换成华文词汇。 作为一名中文系毕业生，从来没料到有差一点词穷的一天；暗自反省时发现，除了自己的不足，这情况其实也反映了现今新加坡青年的困境：许多生活上的惯用词，已经“英化”或“本土化”，以致在纯华语语境，我们必须费点功夫调整过来。 除了华文不够用，时事认识若浅疏，到了中国难免也会吃亏，无法让人留下好印象。就笔者的接触，不提年长者，一般的中国青年，对国内、本区域及欧美的了解，都远超我们。他们对周遭事物发展的关注，也往往使新加坡人相形见绌。 想起一个真实事件：当年张志贤准将刚出掌教育部，到某小学访问，一名年轻教师接获有关通知后问同事：“Who is Teo Chee Hean? ”连自己国家的部长都不认得，那也就甭想他分得清胡锦涛和温家宝、或国家主席还是国务院总理职权大？ 可惜，身边许多例子显示，这些因要“与时并进”而向往到中国发展的年轻国人，似乎没意识到，不是能说华语，就可以在中国通行无阻。笔者的亲身体会是，要能够作深一层的思想交流，且态度要谦和，方能拉近彼此的距离，建立信任和较长远的关系。 我不肯定有多少国人真正了解新加坡目前的经济状况，可是当中国的工作伙伴跟我谈起我国过去和将来的经济支柱，庆幸自己还能作一番介绍、讨论，而不会只限于聊天气、食物等较表面话题。 其实工作人士要掌握这些时事信息也非难事，读报、上网、看电视，任君选择。 至于还在求学的下一代，我国华文教学是绝对不能再因有些学生感到吃力而一再“妥协”；此外，在课堂上加强及加深中国近代史的教导，刻不容缓。这么做不仅是为了在中国大陆生存，对华人来说，更是根本的认知。 学校和社区也应设法通过活动，鼓励学生针对本区域时事发表意见或进行讨论，以免在外贻笑大方。毕竟走出国门，就肩负了代表国家的责任。别人怎么看自己，也将影响他们怎么看新加坡。 就个人角度而言，能够从多方面，包括语言能力及常识，提升自己，有利无弊。 当然，具备了沟通技巧，最终让对方敞开大门的关键仍然在于态度。见过一些国人，明明彼此之间是用华语交谈，在上海浦东机场跟柜台服务员说的却是英语。这种明显刻意筑起一道墙的做法，即没效率也显得落伍。摆架子也要看有没有人愿意当观众吧，结果服务员的英语说得比你还流利，还不是得悄悄把“架子”给收起来？ 所以，中国虽有难以抗拒的魅力，是块巨大的磁铁，在飞身让它吸过去前，也别忘了检查是否真的准备就绪，可不能“轻装”上阵，否则磁性太强，就扑过去时弄得遍体鳞伤，多难堪。 ·作者从事出版工作。
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