PEP, November 2007: Bridging a culture gap

By JANE LaTOUR

Tourists have to travel halfway around the globe to get to China. But students enrolled in the Mandarin Chinese courses at DC 37 just have to get to class on time. There they encounter one of humanity’s oldest cultures and acquire a language spoken by one-fifth of the world’s population — more than 700 million people. Mandarin is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

“We decided to expand the language program to offer our students more options,” explained Viviana Tillman, associate administrator of the DC 37 Education Fund. “A good mix of people from a variety of backgrounds are using the language in different ways.” Two teachers, Sally Li and Audrey Jiang, provide instruction for almost 50 students in levels one through four.

Early in his engineering career, fourth-level student Reza Lotfi worked alongside 1,200 Chinese workers imported to Kuwait for construction labor. Befriending many of the exploited immigrants taught him some Chinese. Now, 25 years later, he is adding to his knowledge “by taking advantage of these courses,” said Lotfi. The Local 375 member and 19-year Transportation Dept. worker recently assisted an older subway passenger by providing directions — in Mandarin.

Working at the Brooklyn Central Laundry,Local 420 member Lesa Tai communicates with aco-worker — in Mandarin. “He wants to learn my language and I am determined to master his,” she said. “I’m doing this for myself. I have a fascination with the culture, the language, and the people.” Tai, a native of Jamaica, has a grandfather of Chinese descent. “I want to explore his history,” she said.

Local 1502 member Michael Allen has managed art collections at the Brooklyn Museum of Art for 30 years. He views mastering the language as a “tremendous challenge — and that’s what I love — because the sounds are completely different,” he said. “Every time I go to Chinatown, I speak, and I get so many compliments. I have zero fear of speaking, because I know that people can understand me.”

The courses are designed to move students quickly past any resistance they might harbor to learning something completely different. Audrey (Yin) Jiang’s classroom techniques and her infectious enthusiasm stimulate her second- and fourth-level students, who address her as “Laoshi,” the Mandarin word for teacher.

“Our teacher shares not only her expertise in the language, but also the beautiful culture of the Chinese people,” said Sharon Thomas Dooley, a member of Local 1549 who has worked for the Police Dept. for 21 years.

Many of the students hope to travel to China, and Dooley has firm plans. “My husband, Brian, and I are adopting twin girls from China,” she explained. “The transition from orphanage to our home was going to be one very large hurdle for them. I thought speaking to them in the language they are used to hearing as well as English would help reassure our daughters of our love.”

Her new ability with Mandarin will ease the month-long stay as the family awaits their children in China. “Kudos to DC 37 and to Laoshi Jiang for giving me this opportunity,” said Dooley.

The class experience expands Reza Lotfi’s already formidable language skills. He alternates his Mandarin classes with Spanish, adding to an impressive repertoire that already includes Persian, Arabic and English. “I commend the union for making this available for the members,” he said.