Writing POC 101

Chinese Characters - @feathering

First of all. I am a Chinese Australian. But I have lived in three different continents. I've moved frequently between China, Australia, and the States. I don't think that enough people realize that because of immigration rates, a lot of people can develop multiple cultural backgrounds, and if portrayed in Wattpad at all, it is an exaggerated version.

For example, a bilingual character's switches between languages is too sudden and too awkward. Instead, when I'm "switching" my language, it's more of how I can think in different ways. I'm able to understand a piece of information in different languages, and depending on the circumstance, I can reply or explain with either Chinese or English.

Another problem that I constantly face in my daily life is when I reveal my nationality. Most people don't believe that I'm Australian because I've lost my accent. If I didn't have a Chinese accent, then would I still be Chinese? Yes. So why is it so different with my Australian background? Because I'm not mixed? That's not the case at all, to me, and to the others with multiple cultural backgrounds. Our identity is not something associated with our looks, it's our history and what we grew up with. Don't try to take it away.

Moving on to things that happen within Chinese families. Often times, Chinese characters' family members are very education oriented, or very disciplined. In fact, that is not always the case. While we do take education very seriously, it is a growing trend among my family and others to put mental health over grades. My parents encourage me to make choices that will ensure my happiness, and I in turn choose to take the route that will lead me to success because I know that's what makes me happy. Chinese families aren't all restrictive. Most families will provide their children with choices, if not a complete free will. But of course, most of the families who are beginning to see mental health as an important issue almost always have parents or adults that are constantly stressed from their occupation.

Another thing to remember is that not all Chinese immigrants are rich, and not all of them are poor either. Often times, Chinese families are set in that social class where they can afford pretty much everything and will splurge. That is not always the case. Even if there are opportunities, we are taught to be frugal and to make the right choices.

On food. Chinese culture is quite diverse, and depending on the region the person is from, their taste in food can change. In the Sichuan region, the food type is called "Chuan Cai", it refers to an incredibly spicy selection of dishes. In other areas including Shanghai and Shenzhen, tastes lean toward the sweeter side that people are used to eating in Western countries. Orange chicken is not a traditional dish. In fact, my family doesn't even know how to make it. Instead, we eat fish a lot, especially during our New Years because it symbolizes good fortune. We also like using sticky rice in our dishes. In my family, our vegetables are cooked all the way through, always. And we enjoy eating pork rinds, which are actually very different from the ones sold in the States. They are full of fats and are crispy when cooked. We don't always eat bok choy, we eat broccoli, asparagus, and so many other types of greens including green beans and sometimes even the occasional kale salad. It's very tiring to see Chinese foods as Chow Mein, fried rice, and orange chicken. In fact, the term Chow Mein, while commonly used, is actually the Cantonese spelling. With Chinese pinyin, it is 'chao mian' （炒面）.

Another problem with the portrayal of Asian characters in general is the lightness of their skin tone. Not all Chinese people are pale-faced beauties with soft makeup. In fact, while the paleness is a beauty standard within China, not everyone has these appearances. If you are writing about a Chinese American who grew up in Southern California, it is likely that they will not be pale because the culture of the region involves summer activities and beaches. It's important to remember the setting of the novel so that you can show how the characters fit in.

I've actually had someone tell me they thought I was illiterate because I came from China. I was put into an ELA class just because my transcript said I was from a school in China. Little did they know it was one of the best international schools in the nation, and I was able to speak in three languages, one of them being English. It was offensive, and most Chinese people with multiple backgrounds do attend international schools if they return to China because of the difference in curriculum with a local school and a school in the States or in Australia.

One last thing. Not all Chinese people choose to take an English nickname. I for one, kept my Chinese name despite the many chances I have because it is what I relate to the most. I can't imagine being called a name other than my own. It's something that I proudly announce because it shows my background, and it'd be really nice for a Chinese character in a different part of the world to still keep their Chinese name. That being said, not all Chinese names contain the phrases 'Ling' and 'Ding'. Other popular names are 'Yu Xuan' and 'Xiao Ting'. It'd be best to research more before naming your character 'Lingling' and vice versa.

All I can say is before you write about a Chinese character, do research on the part of China they are from. It is such a diverse area that most Chinese people can tell where people are from just by hearing them speak Chinese.

When Chinese people have multicultural backgrounds, they also adapt and may not be completely traditional anymore, but most of us are still proud of our heritage and are fluent in at least two languages.

If you have any questions about my experiences, feel free to message me!