Growing Up Mulitlingual

Notable quotes:

"I do not regret the hours I laboured over Chinese classics. I carry to this day the values they imparted to me,  and they continue to guide my behaviour in life, 38 years after I completed my Chinese education."

 

"But when I visit China or Taiwan, and am immersed In a Mandarin speaking environment, I find that within one to two weeks, l can speak Mandarin fluently again, and even find myself dreaming in Mandarin again."

 

These are important lessons on why we need to learn our literature being a Chinese and how the environment and attitude affects one's ability to pick up the Chinese language or for that matter any mother tougue for other races. 

 

source: The Sunday Times  20Nov2011