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Talking Dog Syndrome

by thunderbird
2 replies
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When I took my son to the playground today, an elderly Chinese woman who was with her grandchild started chatting with me in Chinese as if she fully expected that I'd be able to reply to her in the language. She didn't seem in the least bit surprised that I could indeed do so. Usually, the reaction I get is "talking dog syndrome". This syndrome is characterized by seeing and hearing something -- eg a talking dog -- but not believing it.
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

    When I took my son to the playground today, an elderly Chinese woman who was with her grandchild started chatting with me in Chinese as if she fully expected that I'd be able to reply to her in the language. She didn't seem in the least bit surprised that I could indeed do so. Usually, the reaction I get is "talking dog syndrome". This syndrome is characterized by seeing and hearing something -- eg a talking dog -- but not believing it.
    Maybe she heard you speak before. I forget your whole cultural makeup but maybe she thought you looked chinese or something. Some people just assume that if you look a certain way you should speak a certain language EVEN if the country that you are in doesn't generally speak that language.

    Heck, I was once in a GERMAN speaking part of switzerland(Maybe about 20% of the country does speak french though), and a french boy asked me where the train station was in FRENCH! I speak a little french, but not at the speed he was speaking, especially since he was so excited.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      <snip>maybe she thought you looked chinese or something. <snip>
      Not likely. I look pretty white. That said, there are Caucasoid minorities in China (eg Turkish descent). In China I was once asked if I was a "real" white, lol.
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