I kinda have this weird idea where I would hypothetically visit China (where I was born) some time in the future (like as a tourist), then I would go chat up some random foreigners in China, and pretend I don’t speak English, then later reveal I do speak English, and then they’d be so surprised like “OMG this Chinese person speaks perfect English?” (because I immigrated to the US as a kid). I kinda want to do this as a prank. I mean I know it sounds silly, but its like the reverse of those youtubers that learn Chinese and surprise Chinese people. I mean, they’d probably eventually figure out that I was grew up in a English speaking country, but its still funny to do this as a prank to confuse people (especially people who’s native language is Engish) 😅.
Anyways… what’s are your stories (or even hypothetical scenarios) involving languages that you want to share?
Many years ago I started work for a localisation company.
I was sitting in the break room having a coffee when a few of the French translators came in.
My French was a bit rusty but good enough that I realised they were talking about ‘the new guy’, ie me.
One of them said she thought I was a bit weird.
Another said she thought I was quite good-looking, a statement which the third vehemently disagreed with.
I let this carry on for a couple more minutes before washing up my coffee mug and preparing to get back to work. I paused in the doorway and said in French: “It’s true, I am a bit weird!”
As I walked down the corridor there was a moment or two of silence behind me and then they burst out laughing.