"Chinese Corner" in Dublni!
I'd heard about a Chinese Meetup in Dublin from a friend of mine, so I went along last Thursday. Basically, it's like “English Corner” in China: people who are learning the language can go to a place and practise the language with learners and native speakers. Been to many of them in China (English corners that is), some interesting, most not (more because of the lack of interesting conversation than language skill).
So, without any expectations, I hit off for Ron Black's pub in Dublin. I was surprised that there were so many Chinese people there, including one Chinese teacher who teaches in Trinity. I really enjoyed it cos I love speaking Chinese and it had been a long time since I actually spoke so much Chinese. It was like the flood-gates opened and out it came. Sort of like the time when I met an Irish guy in Dalian. I hadn't talked to another Irish person in weeks and it was so relieving to just be able to speak naturally instead of having to force myself into speaking “standard” English, to be sure, begorra.
The Irish people I met there had only learned a little Irish and I think they were a bit shy to try out their Chinese. That's the Irish for ya.
I hope these meetups continue. They are useful in a few ways: the obvious being to help people who are learning Chinese. However, they also give an opportunity for Chinese and Irish people to mix, which doesn't happen much.
I only with there way a 四川话 (Sichuan dialect) Meetup!!






