Enriched Science

Language is more than just a means of communication; it is a vessel of culture, history, and identity. As a British-born Chinese individual, I have come to understand the profound significance of preserving language, particularly through my own experiences with my heritage languages. My parents are Hakka Chinese, but they primarily speak Cantonese, a language with a rich history and deep cultural roots.

Growing up, I faced the common struggle of trying to fit into my British surroundings, often at the expense of my cultural heritage. In my rebellious youth, I refused to attend Chinese school, much to my father’s disappointment. It was only later in life that I recognised this as a form of internalised racism, a desire to distance myself from my heritage in order to blend in.

Living in Wales has been a turning point for me. As I immersed myself in Welsh culture, I began to see the parallels with my own heritage. The Welsh language, like Cantonese, is an integral part of the local identity and a symbol of resistance against colonisation. The more I learned about Welsh culture, the more I felt connected to my own, and I realised the importance of preserving language as a cornerstone of cultural identity.

While Cantonese is widely spoken among the Chinese diaspora, its use is diminishing in its places of origin, such as Guangzhou and Singapore. However, there are proactive efforts to revive Cantonese, demonstrating the resilience and determination of the community to keep their language alive.

Recently, I had the privilege of meeting Māori educators from New Zealand who are reclaiming their language and traditions through their curriculum. This encounter reinforced my belief that language is multi-dimensional and that preserving it is crucial for maintaining cultural identity. Not all words can be directly translated, which highlights the unique ways languages encapsulate the essence of their cultures.

For example, in Welsh, words like “cwtch” (a loving hug), “hiraeth” (a deep longing for home), and “cynefin” (a place where a person feels they belong) convey sentiments that are difficult to translate directly into English. Similarly, in Cantonese, idioms and expressions carry cultural meanings that go beyond their literal translations.

Fun Facts

Here are some idioms from Cantonese, Māori, and Welsh that illustrate the richness of these languages:

---

Idioms

Cantonese Idioms

1. 一箭雙鵰
 Romanisation: jat1 zin3 soeng1 diu1 
Literal Translation: One arrow, two eagles. 
English Equivalent: Kill two birds with one stone. 
Meaning: Achieving two goals with a single effort.

Māori Idiom
Ka pū te rūhā, ka hao te rangatahi

Literal Translation: As an old net withers, another is remade. 
Meaning: The old must make way for the new. This idiom reflects the cyclical nature of life and the importance of renewal and succession.

Welsh Idiom
Bwrw hen wragedd a ffyn
Literal Translation: It’s raining old women and sticks. 
English Equivalent: It’s raining cats and dogs. 
Meaning: This idiom is used to describe very heavy rain, highlighting how different cultures use vivid imagery to express common experiences.

---

Conclusion

Preserving language is about more than just words; it’s about maintaining a connection to our roots and ensuring that our cultural heritage survives for future generations. For me, learning Mandarin has been a practical choice given its accessibility and global significance. However, my journey of reconnecting with my cultural identity has also deepened my appreciation for Cantonese and the unique ways it embodies our history and values.

Languages like Welsh, Māori, and Cantonese are not just methods of communication but are also repositories of collective memory and identity. They encapsulate our ancestors’ wisdom and the spirit of our communities. As we strive to preserve these languages, we honour our past and lay a foundation for a richer, more inclusive future.