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I’m Sorry, WHO Are You?
Date: Yesterday
Setting: A classroom of a fellow teacher’s English corner for his double-major students.
Characters: Me, Brian, and four other Chinese students.
Conversation:
- Me (facing Brian): Hey guys, my name is Bethany, what’s your English name?
- Brian (with perfect English): Hey, what’s up, my name’s Brian.
- Me (noticing he has on a Dallas Cowboy’s jersey): Oh, you’re a Cowboys fan?
- Brian: Yea, what state are you from?
- Me: Uh, Pennsylvania (secretly wanting to ask him what state he’s from).
- Brian: So, you’re an eagles fan.
- Me (thinking ‘what?!’): No, I’m not actually, but I like the Phillies (hoping to stump him with the sports change).
- Brian: Really? Well the Rangers beat the Yankees this morning.
- Me (really confused): WHO are you?!
Setting: Me talking to another group of students about how different regions in America have different accents.
- Me (across the room from Brian talking to other students): Ok, so this is an example of a southern accent, “How y’all doing, would y’all like some sweet tea?”
- Brian (shouts across the room): Your southern accent is uncanny!
- Me: Seriously, WHO are you?!
Weirdest hour and a half of my life. Are you Chinese? Are you American? Why do you have on a Cowboy’s jersey, Texas A & M hat (on backwards!!!) and a Jansport backpack? How am I able to talk to you like you’re an American, but your other classmates are struggling to string a coherent sentence together?!
Brian told me his dream job would be to act on Broadway in New York. I really would like to ask him if he struggles being Chinese. This kid is American. I mean American. Hardly had a hint of an accent. Carried himself like an American. Said American things. How do you fit in in China? You’re wearing American clothes, acting like one, and speaking like one. Do you shut it off when you get back to your dorm? How do you relate to your peers?
Next time I see that kid, I’m gonna have a list of questions for him. I’m still confused by him.