hey, i didn't make this up. it was reported in the star newspaper today. o.k., to be more exact, it said, "...only 53% of the public can speak the version of Mandarin known as putonghua, or 'the common language".
boy, it did make me feel better... a bit.
i'll be the first to admit that i'm a banana. can't speak mandarin. can't speak cantonese properly either. but i must broadcast that some friends said my cantonese has improved.
it is a handicap not knowing one of the more widely spoken language in the world, especially when it is a language associated with my skin colour and that of my forefathers. after all, how then can i go bargain in a land where shopping is cheap and fun!!
yet, there are times recently when i felt blessed for not knowing the language. coz it basically meant less work for me and i would not be responsible for certain things in the office. hehehe...
well, here's to language or the lack of it... cheers!
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