IC Prospective: Teacher

[trapafox]

Character: Yu Xiulian
Mun: Silk
Plot specific: No.


您们好。

Hello, to students and professors both. With summer quickly drawing upon us, I have an offer for all of you. This year, over the break, I return to China. If any are interested, I open my family's home to you. I will be tending to my family's affairs, but such small matters will take little time, and would not distract from a guest, if there are any who wish to learn- or to vacation away from home.

Comments

Mandarin

[papatiger]

That sounds lovely Ms Yu, and it's very nice of you to offer your home for the students and teachers. Which part of China are you from?

[trapafox]

Not at all, Sir Sun. I would welcome the company.

My family is from Liaoning Province, in the north.

[papatiger]

I'm a second generation Chinese myself actually. My grandfather came from Nanjing Province. I used to go back to China every year though.

[trapafox]

I would not have known. Your Mandarin is very fluent. And Nanjing is a lovely place. I wish I had the opportunity to travel there more often.

[papatiger]

Ha ha, thank you very much! My parents were very traditional people and insisted that I kept in touch with my roots. I nearly got sent to a Chinese wizarding school but I managed to convince them to choose Hogwarts instead.

I haven't been to the North much either. I've travelled more around the South. The last time I went to China I was in Shanghai. I liked what they did with the city but it's frustrating when everyone prefers to converse in Shanghainese rather than Mandarin.

[trapafox]

A choice that has served you well, I see, if you are still here so many years later. It was much different for me. My family sent me to Hogwarts as soon as they could.

Truly, one must be multilingual in many ways, in traveling to Shanghai. But perhaps it is best, if the dialect does not disappear, no matter how difficult it is for us to understand.

[papatiger]

Well said! We shouldn't forget our heritage. I'm still trying to get my sons to agree with me on that though; my eldest in particular is quite adamant on erasing every bit of his Chinese heritage for his 'cooler' English culture. It's quite sad.

[trapafox]

If you do not believe he will scorn you forever, perhaps you could send him with me for the summer. Perhaps it will not convince him that it is 'cool,' but at the least he may appreciate it more.

[papatiger]

I may just do that. Thank you for the generous offer Ms Yu.

[trapafox]

Not at all. It is my pleasure, Sir Sun.

[papatiger]

Actually, if it's not too much trouble I might come along. You might need some help dealing with the students if too many of them come on board for the trip.

And admittedly I'd like to see Liaodong province myself. Would there happen to be any lakes for sailing there?

[trapafox]

No trouble at all. The invitation stands for all who wish to come, after all.

There are no lakes, I am afraid, but it is along the coast, and the Bohai Sea lies to the south.

[jasmineofthewest]

Oh, what a wonderful offer! It is very kind of you to make such an invitation. I am sure the students will appreciate it! I would love to visit China, myself. If you need any help watching the students, I would be more than willing to help out.

[trapafox]

One hopes they would remain well-behaved as guests, but even if another chaperone is not needed, I would be glad to have you along.

[jasmineofthewest]

I would love that very much! I will make myself useful, though. There will be fresh tea brewed often and I will bake you and everyone else delicious cakes!

[trapafox]

I could not ask such a thing of a guest. Please, you need not go out of your way so.

[jasmineofthewest]

But are you not going out of your way for everyone else? I am not trying to be argumentative by any means, I just think giving back what you receive is fair. And you're giving so much!

[trapafox]

And what I receive in return is the company of friends. It is no trouble.

[jasmineofthewest]

Well, if you insist.

But I might still like to make you tea anyway, if that would be alright?

[trapafox]

In that case, I look forward to it.

[shitknickers]

Golly, if I only spoke Chinese. I would feel terribly rude in a home country not being able to converse with people.

[trapafox]

I have learned that being surrounded by a language makes it easy to learn, but you need not be concerned. My family knows English quite fluently.

[shitknickers]

Gosh. I might just have to consider that... But I'd have to see about letting some friends care for my cat. I mean it sounds like an absolutely splendid opportunity-- one of a lifetime, really.

[trapafox]

If you are uncertain, you need not push yourself. I doubt the offer will be rescinded in years to come.

[shitknickers]

That's mighty kind of you, Professor. If not this summer, perhaps another.

[trapafox]

I would be happy to have you along, sir English.