139
dollar; have go Hong Kong, tief man catchee he. He no have got one
cash.
APPENDIX II
Ying U Tsap Ts'un
The Chinese and English Instructor
by
Tong Ting-shue
The Author's Introduction
Once, I happened to be travelling to Macau with two or three friends. As we approached, we observed mandarin boats, gun emplacements and houses in a dilapidated condition. On enquiring about the cause, we were told that this was the work of foreigners.
Arriving at Macau, we observed how magnificent and enduring the foreigners' mansion and churches were, how well-built their fortresses and ships in complete contrast to the Mainland. I had a strange feeling and wanted to know where these people came from and what their abilities were. But knowing neither their language nor their script, I had no way of finding out. I had no alternative but to learn their language first so that I could communicate with them. I immediately resolved to engage a learned Portuguese as my tutor.
Two months later, an elderly man asked me what I was learning and I recounted my story to him. He said
"Why not learn English? England is better than Portugal: their technology is more advanced, and the English are the most numerous among those who trade with our country.
"You are quite right!", I replied, and forthwith applied myself to several years' study of English. Thus I got to know the basics and went on to study in depth. I gained a thorough knowledge of the pronunciation and meaning. Thereupon, those engaged in foreign trade came to me for translations, and this came to be a burden on me. Accordingly, I prepared this book as a way to close the door on them and save myself
139
dollar; have go Hong-Kong, tief man catchee he. He no have got one
cash.
APPENDIX II
Ying U Tsap Ts'un
The Chinese and English Instructor
by
Tong Ting-shue
The Author's Introduction
Once, I happened to be travelling to Macau with two or three friends. As we approached, we observed mandarin boats, gun emplacements and houses in a dilapidated condition. On enquiring about the cause, we were told that this was the work of foreigners.
-
Arriving at Macau, we observed how magnificent and enduring the foreigners' mansion and churches were, how well-built their fortresses and ships in complete contrast to the Mainland I had a strange feeling and wanted to know where these people came from and what their abilities were. But knowing neither their language nor their script, I had no way of finding out. I had no alternative but to learn their language first so that I could communicate with them. I immediately resolved to engage a learned Portuguese as my tutor.
Two months later, an elderly man asked me what I was learning and I recounted my story to him. He said
"Why not learn English? England is better than Portugal: their technology is more advanced, and the English are the most numerous among those who trade with our country.
"You are quite right!", I replied, and forthwith applied myself to several years' study of English. Thus I got to know the basics and went on to study in depth. I gained a thorough knowledge of the pronunciation and meaning. Thereupon, those engaged in foreign trade came to me for translations, and this came to be a burden on me. Accordingly, I prepared this book as a way to close the door on them and save myself
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