Overcoming Language Barriers

Before coming to Taiwan, I didn’t speak Mandarin. However, because I loved watching Taiwanese variety shows, listening wasn’t too difficult. In 2020, I began learning Mandarin from scratch, starting with the Zhuyin phonetic symbols ㄅㄆㄇㄈ, as if I were a child learning to speak all over again. Learning a new language was challenging, but it brought me immense joy and a sense of accomplishment.

When we first arrived in Taiwan, my wife and I avoided using Mandarin in our conversations as much as possible. We were both in the learning phase, worried that our inaccurate pronunciations might affect each other. However, over time, our Mandarin skills have improved over the past year. Now, more than half of our daily conversations are in Mandarin, only reverting to our native language in emergencies.

We particularly enjoy talking with our Taiwanese friends because the tones of Mandarin are gentle and soothing. Even when we occasionally hear Taiwanese parents scolding their children, their voices still carry a warm and soft tone. I often joke that even if our Taiwanese friends get angry with us, we would still enjoy it. In contrast, when we speak Cantonese normally, people unfamiliar with the language might think we’re arguing due to the tonal differences.

I am grateful to heaven for enabling me to systematically learn Mandarin through Zhuyin, allowing me to live here with peace of mind. Language is one of the key tools for communication. Initially, I feared whether I could master Mandarin in a short time. However, the tolerance and support from Taiwanese friends provided me with great comfort. Almost every Taiwanese friend would encourage us by saying, "As long as you understand, that’s enough. Welcome to Taiwan." This warmth fills my heart with gratitude.

Here, I would also like to take this opportunity to share my experiences of getting to know Taiwanese friends over the past few years, as a small record of this chapter in my life. I am thankful to heaven, thankful to Taiwan, and thankful to the friends who have accompanied and accepted me along the way.

"Birds of a feather flock together." One of the reasons I chose to immigrate to Taiwan is because I noticed that this place is home to many temples, charitable organizations, and a diverse religious culture. A place that can embrace so many religions must surely have an abundance of kind-hearted people. As the world becomes increasingly uncertain, I firmly believe that heaven will take special care of those who are kind-hearted. Perhaps this idea seems naive, but I believe it is true. The more kind people gather in one place, the more it can bring safety and peace. Therefore, my wife and I chose to immigrate to Taiwan together.

I am grateful to heaven for allowing me to meet so many kind Taiwanese friends here, who have filled our lives in Taiwan with peace and happiness. One friend even mentioned in a letter that they hope we can grow old together; this warmth is something I deeply cherish. We are truly fortunate, and now we occasionally joke around with him using a few simple Taiwanese words. Learning new things always brings immense joy.

Gratitude—always gratitude. I am thankful for heaven’s care, which has given me the opportunity to learn how to treat others kindly on this land. I will continue to learn from my Taiwanese friends and pass on this kindness and inclusiveness to others.