Speaking American

Bilingual English-CHINESE Talks 2009

The Way to Virtue by Lao Zi (Tzu)

老子 Laozi

Boston, April 5– Speaking American launched the Bilingual English-CHINESE Public Speaking contest last year and it is now an annual option for Grades 7 and 8 statewide.

            Four Finalists from Grade 7 at Worcester Academy spoke on Eastern mysticism using a passage from Dao De Jing (The Way to Virtue) by Lao Zi, the 4^th century BC philosopher whose thinking culminated in Daoism. The students spoke on the concepts and “non-interference” using both  English and Chinese.

      Bilingual Students Enjoy the Forum

James (Jamie) Sullivan, Grade 7 at Worcester Academy, raises hand to join in some impromptu Public Speaking before his recitation. Seated next to him is Isabelle Lorion and directly behind him are Nicole Gaudette and Daria Cenedella— all speakers of English and Chinese on Laozi’s thinking and approach to the human condition and spirituality.

道德經 Daodejing

Christine Qian, Judge of the English-Chinese Talks, enjoys listening to James (Jamie) Sullivan. Christine is the Co-founder of a multicultural global strategy marketing consulting firm, Able Glide Group. She is also a  Board Member of the Chinese American organization/New England Chapter.

Results of Competition

             Winner: Isabelle Lorion and Honorable Mention: Daria Cenedella

            Ms. Heidi Wolf, Speaking American Founder, said,  “It is my hope that when you all leave today you will remember the name Lao Zi. This is like saying I hope you remember the name Shakespeare. Centuries ago and apart, both wrote of the human condition even though in different ways and both are still read and studied today.”

            Ms. Wolf added that in the Speaking American forum not only do the students have the opportunity to express themselves bilingually beyond the classroom, but the audience has an opportunity to get some insights into the Chinese language and the fact that it is a tonal language where each syllable used in a different tone has a completely different meaning.She demonstrated that the syllable “ma” when used in 1^st tone means mother, but in 3^rd tone means horse.

Prize and Awards

            Isabelle Lorion won a cash prize and all the Finalists received a Finalists Certificate suitable for framing. Other students participating in the Bilingual Talks at the school level, will receive a  Certificate of Participation awarded at the school.

Special Thanks

            Photographic coverage of this Public Speaking event was provided by Beth Adelson, Boston University (MA ‘09) Photo Journalist.