One of the reasons the Chinese language is so difficult to learn, at least for those of us whose brains are wired for an alphabet, is the ratio of written characters to phonemes, or syllables. While there are thousands and thousands of characters, there are only 404 different syllables to pronounce those characters. Add four tones to those, and you get 1600 ways to pronounce characters. Now add the fact that many characters have multiple meanings, and you get a language that thrives on word plays and puns!
One of my favorites is the word play 海归 (haigui), which has been translated into English as “returnee.” A returnee is a Chinese person who has lived or studied abroad for an extended period of time and has now returned home. Sometimes, in English, returnees are also called “sea turtles,” which is where the word play comes in. A sea turtle is 海龟 (haigui). Different second character; same pronunciation.
This pun can also be found in the name of an Australia-based organization dedicated to sharing the love of Christ with people from China in their country for work or study. The name of the organization is Thriving Turtles. Here’s how they describe their work:
Welcome to our Chinese returnee resource website. We seek to resource and serve two audiences through this site. The first and primary audience is Chinese Christians who are returning to China. We refer to these brothers and sisters as “returnees”. The second is anyone serving Chinese Christian returnees. On this platform you will find relevant and up-to-date information and resources. If you are returning to China soon, we hope these resources will help you to prepare yourself for the challenges and opportunities ahead so that you can stand firm in the Lord through your transition. For those working with returnees, we hope this site will encourage and equip you to serve your returning friends so that they will return well and continue to walk with Christ. To this end, we address a number of big picture topics including: personal spiritual formation, family, the workplace, the church, and missions.
They have recently launched a new training initiative to help gospel workers develop the knowledge and skills necessary for effective cross-cultural work. Using an online learning platform, they offer modular courses in basic cross-cultural ministry skills.
Their next courses begin on December 19, and will include the following modules:
Courses offered this year:
• Cultural Intelligence for Ministry
• Helping Your Friend Thrive in China
• Discipling People with a Chinese Worldview
• Culture Values and Distance
The courses are asynchronous (not in real time) and run for 6-10 hours over a 2-week period. They are not webinars, so participants are free to work at their own pace and in their own time zone. For more details, please visit their website, Thriving Turtles.
I love the fact that this course is not time-zone dependent, thus making it more accessible to participants anywhere in the world.
If you’re working with Chinese “sea turtles,” this course is for you!
