Though right now, I can speak two languages, Chinese and English, I cannot speak them fluently. In fact, oftentimes, I still get mixed up between the two. This past month, my mom had enrolled herself into a leadership class and I had to proofread her assignments for her. I don’t know why I have to do that though since she insults my grammar afterward. She calls my English awkward and repetitive and my grammar awful. “I don’t know how you can write so awful.” Her words, not mine.
Do I really write that bad? Even my instructor had returned my paper, docking me five points for bad grammar. On the other hand, I’m not getting much complaints on here. So I’m not sure which is true. .
Anyway, if I can wake up tomorrow and be fluent in any language, I would choose English. I would speak no more Chinese, it would be a thing of the past. My grammar would not be awkward and I would not have any trouble expressing myself.
Of course, WP won’t let me do that. According to the prompt, I have to choose a language I don’t already speak. Well, in that case, I would choose Spanish because most jobs out there nowadays require a second language, Spanish. My mom said they’re in need of Chinese speaker but honestly, I don’t see many jobs with a requirement for Chinese speaker, unless you’re a translator, of course.
Anyway, I would speak a mouth of fluent Spanish. I would be able to curl my tongue to make the “r” sound, no problem. I’m not sure about the first thing I would do, maybe write it on my resume so I can earn more money with bilingual jobs? No idea.
This is Another Story 
You make the same mistakes with verbs continually. “This past month, my mom had enrolled herself into a leadership class…” that should be “…my mom enrolled herself” because you refer to a specific moment in the past. We use the past perfect (had + verb) when there are two past events, one before the other. “My mom had enrolled in a leadership class before I knew what she was up to.” Mom enrolled before you knew what she was doing. This is a very difficult thing for a non-native speaker and WORSE for someone whose first language is Chinese. Chinese has sane verbs. English, no.
Here’s another one: “Even my instructor had returned my paper, docking me five points for bad grammar…” Should be: “Even my instructor returned my paper, docking me five points.”
“I’m not getting much complaints on here” should be “I’m not getting many complaints here” —
Many is for things that could be counted; much for stuff that can’t be counted. Many fingers, much sugar.
Your mistakes don’t make your writing incomprehensible, but they’re enough to make your professor take off points. I think you’ll get it, but it’ll take time and an understanding of the mistakes you make. If I could do in any language what you’ve accomplished in English, I’d be happy.
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I think between my translating job and my mother’s “Google translate” English, it’s having effects on me and ruining my English. I don’t like people criticizing my writing all the time but I think sometimes, it’s good that I get a little feedback.
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Your mistakes are mostly the same ones many English speaking people make. You seem very teachable. Martha has given you good instruction. I, along with her, wish I could speak a second language as well as you do. In fact, I often publish with some errors. Grammar is my “strong suit” and I still make mistakes, often because of not being careful. You remind me to be more careful.
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Yes, spoken language is different from written language. I learned that in last night’s workshop. I have to be careful too because with writing speeches, I’ve grown so used to writing in spoken words instead of written words.
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I use to work at a donut store w/ lebanese speaking owners (of which I picked up some – the language), plus I knew a smattering of hebrew… And, of course, english my native language. On more than one occaddion I would speak a combo of the three — In the same paragraph 😉 More than once I got funny looks.
I would say don’t lose you chinese speaking ability. I can understand wanting better english, but dont lose the chinese.
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I did that too when I was teaching English as a second language to Chinese students. They all spoke Mandarin and none spoke Cantonese except me. So I would sometimes be talking to them in Mandarin and then unconsciously throw in a couple of Cantonese as well as English words in there and they would be like, what did you just say?
I kind of glad I can speak Chinese too but that language, I tell you, gives me a lot of trouble.
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