To all the ABC's

[Pitfighter]

So I'm ABC (American born Chinese, though technically I'm Taiwanese or if your really picky I'm Formosan). I gotta another ABC Taiwanese friend who changed his name. Got some family issues, hey what Asian family doesn't (not to say other races don't have family issues but most Asians will know what I mean). We're both pretty American unless you met us face to face. There's really not much that would demonstrate we're Asian unless we made it a point to say so.

I think part of the reason he changed his name was cuz he was uncomfortable with his "identity". Now if anything I feel that's messed up but that the sentiment that inspired the name change fairly common amongst ABCs.

I only speak bits and pieces of Taiwanese or Chinese but I really don't feel outta place with FOBs (Fresh of the Boat). Sure I wish I was fluent but ultimately most Asians won't disrespect you if your not more "ASIAN". Weird thing is my friend is more fluent than me but just cuz he doesn't fit stereotypes like diggin on kareoke, pool, suped up cars, etc... he feels alienated.

Ultimately I think most Asians aren't really that critical to ABC's lack of cultural immersion.

What are your opinions on this phenonomenon?

[CFT]

I would say most ABCs in the same boat would not have a problem, but to mainland Chinese (PRC) and maybe Taiwanese the majority would think your friend was selling out. Some extremists don't think that overseas born Chinese can even be considered Chinese. Idiots!

[Chimpcheng]

Some extremists don't think that overseas born Chinese can even be considered Chinese. Idiots!

In my dad's village in Hong Kong I remember being sneered at by the locals because I was born in the UK, live in the UK, work in the UK and had no intention of moving to Hong Kong. :confused:

[CFT]

In my dad's village in Hong Kong I remember being sneered at by the locals because I was born in the UK, live in the UK, work in the UK and had no intention of moving to Hong Kong. :confused:
It really is such a stupid attitude. That is what happens when families emigrate - you settle and form new roots. There are Chinese all over SE Asia who all emigrated over many centuries - they still retain a lot of their Chinese culture and language, though obviously mixed with local elements.

[onyomi]

You mean he changed his surname to something non-Chinese? I mean, I'm not one to judge, but I can tell you most Chinese would not like that one little bit. Confucius's ancestors are still surnamed "Kong" and can trace their ancestry all the way back to him. They would consider changing their surname to be like a massive insult to their ancestors. I wouldn't want to see the reaction of the guy's Chinese grandparents when he tells them "don't call me Zhang (or whatever his surname is) anymore."

[slipthejab]

I'm always curious why it seems like those who are of Chinese descent put that at the forefront of everything they do?

I can't count the number of times that I've met a Chinese person only to be informed by them that they're Chinese.

LOL! :D

No... really?
I guess the fact that you can speak Chinese wasn't a big enough clue. Perhaps on an internet forum it might not be such a big deal... but face to face... frankly guessing that someone is Chinese isn't rocket science.

It seems like with many Chinese people there is something of a national insecurity... the constant reference to how different Chinese are in conversations. The constant need to show that China was 'first' in inventing things... as if the entire world only happened because of China.

It's curious because so much of it is stating the bleeding obvious in many respects. To hear them speak you'd think their parents were coolies working on the railroad. Or that it was almost beyond comprehension for any non Chinese person to understand the dynamics of Chinese culture.

It strikes me as people that take this attitude usually have a very poor understanding of Chinese history. I'm always shocked that even here in China most people understand very little about their history... and forget about any ancient Chinese history. I've given up for the most part asking questions about Chinese history to most Chinese people... it's easier to simply go to the library.

Anyone care to venture a guess as to why some of these phenomena exist? :confused:

As for a person of Chinese descent changing his surname (family name) to something non-Chinese... I can't honestly say I've ever heard of such a thing. It would no doubt have their entire family in a uproar that simply would never end. You'd sooner have chance of Satan being made a saint than that being accepted by your Chinese family. :eek: That's tantamount to social suicide amongst the Chinese. It goes against the vast majority of Chinese Confucian culture and the concept of familial piety.

[slipthejab]

I'm curious why the need then to preface what seems to be most conversations with the 'I am a Chinese' comment?

I'd also be curious what leads you to think the Japanese are more insecure about their 'Japaneseness'?

[onyomi]

I'm curious why the need then to preface what seems to be most conversations with the 'I am a Chinese' comment?

I'd also be curious what leads you to think the Japanese are more insecure about their 'Japaneseness'?

Well, I haven't noticed people doing that so often, but I guess it's just cultural pride? I mean, I think ABCs, even if they're like 3rd-generation or later, still tend to think of themselves as Chinese maybe somewhat more than people of other nationalities by the same token one of my Kung Fu teachers will sometimes say he's a "Zhejiang person," because his father, grandfather, etc. were from there, even though he himself grew up in Taiwan. (I've also met people who grew up in Beijing but say they're Anhui people, etc. etc.) I should mention, however, that here in Taiwan, a lot of people who are not part of the recent KMT immigration and even some who were feel it's important to point out to me that they are NOT Chinese. They are TAIWANESE, which is totally different. :rolleyes: (Not that there aren't some cultural differences, but most Taiwanese are still basically culturally Chinese and Taiwanese dialect is basically the same as southern Fujian dialect).

I mean, it's not like the Japanese all have inferiority complexes, but I think to a certain extent they've been in the shadow of other nations, mostly China, but then the west, for so much of their history, that they sometimes struggle with the idea of what is "really Japanese" or "uniquely Japanese." I mean, there are so many books in Japan with titles like "Nihonjin to wa Nanika?" ("What, exactly are Japanese people?") That is not to say that the Japanese have no national pride, but I don't think it's as strong as the Chinese national pride, which often reminds me of the father in "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding."

[Chimpcheng]

I'm Chinese...

... :D

[slipthejab]

I'm Chinese...

... :D

really? :D

[Pitfighter]

I'm curious why the need then to preface what seems to be most conversations with the 'I am a Chinese' comment?

I'd also be curious what leads you to think the Japanese are more insecure about their 'Japaneseness'?
I usually don't. I only pointed out my ethnicity cuz my post was specific to my ethnicity.

I've always been curious too about that. I don't think it's unique to Chinese, in America almost anyone who's a minority will ask you where your from before they ask who you are half the time.

When Asians point out their ethnicity to me I think it's to find out whether or not I speak the same language, especially if their FOB, they just feel more comfortable speaking in their mother tongue so I can only assume it's a relief when they find someone to speak to in their own language.

[Pitfighter]

You mean he changed his surname to something non-Chinese? I mean, I'm not one to judge, but I can tell you most Chinese would not like that one little bit. Confucius's ancestors are still surnamed "Kong" and can trace their ancestry all the way back to him. They would consider changing their surname to be like a massive insult to their ancestors. I wouldn't want to see the reaction of the guy's Chinese grandparents when he tells them "don't call me Zhang (or whatever his surname is) anymore."
Yes he did. I mean I'm his friend but quite frankly I am not comfortable with that. That's why I asked in the first place. I don't wear my heritage on my sleeve or anything but I'm not ashamed either.

Really I'm offended that he would shuck his surname. There may be several reasons why he did it but I think one reason was cuz he was uncomfortable with his ethnic identity which is just dumb in my opinion. I still chide him about it and refuse to call him by his changed name.

[Dr NinjaBellydance]

I would say most ABCs in the same boat would not have a problem, but to mainland Chinese (PRC) and maybe Taiwanese the majority would think your friend was selling out. Some extremists don't think that overseas born Chinese can even be considered Chinese. Idiots!

I wonder if this is something to do with 'nationalism' rather than 'ethnicity'.
When I'm in the US many white Americans will come up and say 'Oh, you're from Scotland, that's neat, I'm Scottish you know!'
Really? I thought you were from Colarado! :rolleyes:
Certainly here in Scotland, and Ireland as well, this idea that Americans say 'I'm Scottish/ Irish' tends to be ridiculed. You're not Scottish, you're American!
Wonder if its a similar thing.
Just a thought.

[Chimpcheng]

Don't you mean SCOTCHland? :D

I think it's a bit of both, nationalism and ethnicity. The Chinese are notoriously racist including to their own kind. I'm Hakka Chinese and over the centuries the Mandarins and Cantonese have always looked down on us as peasants and as inferior.

They also enjoy a lot of "sideways" racism, any overseas Chinese who doesn't speak Chinese or work in a take-away is a "banana" - yellow on the outside and white on the inside.

Even the terms ABC (American Born Chinese), BBC (British Born Chinese), CBC (Canadian Born Chinese) can also used in a derogatory fashion.

[CFT]

It strikes me as people that take this attitude usually have a very poor understanding of Chinese history. I'm always shocked that even here in China most people understand very little about their history... and forget about any ancient Chinese history. I've given up for the most part asking questions about Chinese history to most Chinese people... it's easier to simply go to the library.Any average opinionated person "on the street" would be hard pressed to relate much of their country's history; it really depends how much of the population gets a decent education, whether formal or informal.

[Dr NinjaBellydance]

Don't you mean SCOTCHland? :D

I think it's a bit of both, nationalism and ethnicity. The Chinese are notoriously racist including to their own kind. I'm Hakka Chinese and over the centuries the Mandarins and Cantonese have always looked down on us as peasants and as inferior.

They also enjoy a lot of "sideways" racism, any overseas Chinese who doesn't speak Chinese or work in a take-away is a "banana" - yellow on the outside and white on the inside.

Even the terms ABC (American Born Chinese), BBC (British Born Chinese), CBC (Canadian Born Chinese) can also used in a derogatory fashion.

No no
It's SCATCHlaand! :p

[onyomi]

I wonder if this is something to do with 'nationalism' rather than 'ethnicity'.
When I'm in the US many white Americans will come up and say 'Oh, you're from Scotland, that's neat, I'm Scottish you know!'
Really? I thought you were from Colarado! :rolleyes:
Certainly here in Scotland, and Ireland as well, this idea that Americans say 'I'm Scottish/ Irish' tends to be ridiculed. You're not Scottish, you're American!
Wonder if its a similar thing.
Just a thought.

That's exactly what I mean--I've had some people think I'm being insensitive or even racist when I say that Chinese Americans are basically Americans, yet everyone understands why people actually born in Scotland or Ireland don't really consider people who grew up in America but whose descendants came from those places to really be Scottish, Irish, etc. Unless someone specifically asks me about my ethnic heritage, all I say is that I'm from New Orleans.

I understand that the Asian-american experience is often different from say the Irish-american experience, especially when said Asian-american's parents are very serious about trying to immerse their children in Chinese culture despite being in America. Still, you are mostly the product of the culture you grow up in, not the culture your grandparents grew up in.

[Pitfighter]

That's exactly what I mean--I've had some people think I'm being insensitive or even racist when I say that Chinese Americans are basically Americans

I've rarely encountered that reaction. Honestly I see that reaction more on TV than in real life. Either way though, I think it's stupid. We are Americans! I mean the whole point of America that it was a nation built on ideals of freedom and individualism not ethnicity, language, religion, or custom.

Well anyhow I found out my friend did have some ethnic identity issues while we were shooting the ducks.

Still not happy with it but he made his choice and he's got a lotta things legally in his name (I think that's a weak excuse but it's his excuse). Maybe down the line he'll go back to his original name but right now he's gotta put it on the backburner. I hope he does but it's his life.

[Pocari Neko]

I gotta another ABC Taiwanese friend who changed his name. ... We're both pretty American unless you met us face to face. ... Weird thing is my friend is more fluent than me but just cuz he doesn't fit stereotypes like diggin on kareoke, pool, suped up cars, etc... he feels alienated.

What are your opinions on this phenonomenon?
Dude, if there is no need for you to speak/read/write the language of your ancestors at the place where you're living in, why fuss about not having the command of the language "because other people can"? (Is it just me or is that kind of concern really Chinese?) I mean, it's very useful to be able to speak and read and write Chinese. Heck, it's useful to be multilingual!!

As far as feeling ailenated, I just think that your friend has progressed further than the people that he wants to hang out with. No issues with lusting after suped up cars because we can all dream, but the reality is that if you don't dig it, it's fine too because your insurance primiums would be so much cheaper!!

Think about it - a life that only consists of: work, karaokae, cinema, shopping and eating out. Is it just me or is that a bit boring, and your friend has actually got off his arse and started looking for something more? Well good for him.

[youngbraveheart]

ABC's...FOB's...LOL

I haven't heard those terms in awhile. In my daily life, I don't hear those terms too often, since there aren't many Chinese (or Asians) in construction where I work. I'm an ABC, although I've been asked if I was Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and even Filipino... (Don't we (Asians) look alike?) With the last name "Young," people don't know whether I'm Caucasian, Black, or Chinese, until they meet me.

The older I get, the more proud of my family's heritage I am (wasn't that way when I was young)...wish though that I was more fluent in Cantonese, able to read Chinese, and able to speak Mandarin (again...wasn't that way when I was young)...I guess it's never too late to learn.

[slipthejab]

ABC's...FOB's...LOL

I haven't heard those terms in awhile. In my daily life, I don't hear those terms too often, since there aren't many Chinese (or Asians) in construction where I work. I'm an ABC, although I've been asked if I was Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and even Filipino... (Don't we (Asians) look alike?)

In general... yes. Unless someone was raised in a diverse Asian community they're not going to be able to tell a Japanese person from a Chinese person generally. Nor would they be able to tell a Khmer person from a Filipino. Further to that point you have wealthy Thai nationals who are Chinese by ancestry and don't speak of a lick of Chinese... yet generally wouldn't be seen as being Thai by most people.

Much in the same way that you're not going to get many people raised outside of Asia that see Indians as Asians. Or Pakistani's for that matter. And they certainly won't be able to tell a Mustangi from a Sherpa or a Newari person. Or even much in the same way that most people can't tell a Nigerian from a person from Mali or a black American.

Go figure.



With the last name "Young," people don't know whether I'm Caucasian, Black, or Chinese, until they meet me.

Just out of curiosity how do you actually spell it?
Is it spelled 'Young'? Or is it spelled 'Yeung'?
And how did your Chinese ancestors or relatives spell it? Certainly they didn't spell it as 'Young'.

The older I get, the more proud of my family's heritage I am (wasn't that way when I was young)...wish though that I was more fluent in Cantonese, able to read Chinese, and able to speak Mandarin (again...wasn't that way when I was young)...I guess it's never too late to learn.

Too right. It's never too late go back and pick up a language. Start ASAP and then you're one step closer to being fluent in your ancestors tongue. :)

[Mushroom]

They also enjoy a lot of "sideways" racism, any overseas Chinese who doesn't speak Chinese or work in a take-away is a "banana" - yellow on the outside and white on the inside.


That was my nickname and I thought it was a compliment, until I realised they were talking about my upbringing rather than the "other" thing. :D

On a serious and slight rantish note -
I'm a BBC and you would find the exact same thing over here.
A lot of Chinese/Malay/Chino-Viet go out of their way to tell other people.....we're Chinese!
I actually overheard one girl saying she only watched Japanese Anime simply because "its the Chinese thing to do"
(apparently its part of Chinese heritage that one must watch Japanese anime...I must of missed that in the memo).

And if you dont embrace it, then youre a 'traitor'.
-One must attend Chinese Night Parties (which the main music is US Hip-hop/RnB)
-One must sing karaoke...in Chinese
-One must go to Hong Kong every 6-8 months..because playing the Wii/360/PS3 at home in London is just not the same.



These kind of things really rile me.

Especially when a majority of 'them' has opted to be called a Japanese/Korean name.

[youngbraveheart]

Just out of curiosity how do you actually spell it?
Is it spelled 'Young'? Or is it spelled 'Yeung'?
And how did your Chinese ancestors or relatives spell it? Certainly they didn't spell it as 'Young'.

Hey slipthejab:
Believe it or not the spelling is as shown: "YOUNG." That's the way the immigration papers and birth certificates of offsprings show. My great-grandfather immigrated to Hawaii; where there are (I'm told) many Chinese Youngs (probably from the same village and related some how). My grandfather, father, and brother were born in Hawaii. (I was unfortunately not born there but on a much smaller and lesser known island of Guam, where my father worked for the (US) government.) I'll still call myself an "island boy." LOL

Our last name in Chinese is: 楊...

[youngbraveheart]

Our last name in Chinese is: 楊...

I've seen this same Chinese character used for Michele Yeoh's last name...doubt we're related...

http://www.michelleyeoh.info/

[slipthejab]

Hey slipthejab:
Believe it or not the spelling is as shown: "YOUNG." That's the way the immigration papers and birth certificates of offsprings show. My great-grandfather immigrated to Hawaii; where there are (I'm told) many Chinese Youngs (probably from the same village and related some how). My grandfather, father, and brother were born in Hawaii. (I was unfortunately not born there but on a much smaller and lesser known island of Guam, where my father worked for the (US) government.) I'll still call myself an "island boy." LOL

Our last name in Chinese is: 楊...

Ah interesting stuff. Some of that might explain why people take you for being Filipino. If you have the darker complected skin typical of most of the Guamanians or the Hawaiians (eg. Polynesian peoples) or your family has intermarried amongst these people and is in essence Sino-Polynesian or maybe more accurately Sino-Chamorro.

I have a good mate who I train with that is half Tongan (mother) and half Chinese (father) and could be mistaken for being Filipino or Samoan or for that matter Maori. Though he's entirely Kiwi. :D

I suspect the name being spelled as it is might be something to do with the way it was translated way back when. It's interesting in that it's the first time after more than a decade in China that I've come across a Chinese person who spells their last name as 'Young'.

I'll have an ask around and see what I can dig up on the name and it's translation.

[slipthejab]

It appears there is an abstract that refers to Chinese names such as Yeung or Yang often being spelled as 'Young' - however it's come from what seems to be part of the meta-data when I Googled the following phrase:

Can Yeung be spelled Young?

and I came up with this bit of text:

CHINESE INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE
There are a number of Chinese names that can be confused as Caucasian (Yeung. or Yang may sometimes be spelled Young; Li for Lee);'others with ...

Which I'm assuming is listed in the meta-data for this academic article on the subject at this site (I've assumed meta-data because there is no abstract available for the article):

http://www.haworthpress.com/store/ArticleAbstract.asp?sid=1B8XM5B0QNMG8HT7CUKG0BUF0T T09E4D&ID=72571

Interestingly, Yang is also listed as the 6th most common surname and is commonly translated as 'Young' in English. Which matches up withe Chinese characters you've posted as your family name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_Chinese_surnames


It'd be interesting if you could find out which group of Chinese in Guam your family falls into - pre-Spanish Chinese, the post Spanish Chinese or the pre-WWII Chinese or the post-WWII Chinese. You might want to do some asking around and digging through old photographs... could prove interesting.

A bit of an interesting outline I came across you might want to ponder is this:

E. Chinese

1. Demographics

2. Immigration history to Guam

a. The first Chinese on Guam prior to Spanish rule
b. Chinese during Spanish rule
c. Chinese between 1898 and 1941
d. The first Guam Chinese families
e. World War II

3. Chinese on Guam post World War II
a. Businessmen
b. Professionals
c. Construction companies (Taiwan, China, Hong kong)

4. Chinese tourism

5. Cultural contributions
a. Performing arts
b. Cuisine
c. Religious influences
6. Linguistic influences/contributions

from this site: http://www.guampedia.com/subjects/nonChamoruEthnicity.htm

[Chimpcheng]

I actually overheard one girl saying she only watched Japanese Anime simply because "its the Chinese thing to do"
(apparently its part of Chinese heritage that one must watch Japanese anime...I must of missed that in the memo).

Ya what now? You don't watch Japanese anime nor have a perchant for hentai rather than real, true to life pr0nz? You're no chinese... :D

[youngbraveheart]

Interestingly, Yang is also listed as the 6th most common surname and is commonly translated as 'Young' in English. Which matches up withe Chinese characters you've posted as your family name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_Chinese_surnames

It'd be interesting if you could find out which group of Chinese in Guam your family falls into - pre-Spanish Chinese, the post Spanish Chinese or the pre-WWII Chinese or the post-WWII Chinese. You might want to do some asking around and digging through old photographs... could prove interesting.

I'll take a look at the wikipedia site. I do know that when immigration translate surnames it could cause a different "English" surname depending on who's doing the translation. (I have first cousins that are "Jins" but their English translation or on paper it is "Jine." Or how about Wong vs. Huang vs. Wang...)

My family doesn't have roots in Guam. Our (American) roots are in Hawaii (three generations) - going back to probably the late 1800's when my great-grandfather arrived in Hawaii. I was only born on Guam when my father was stationed there, and we left when I was eight to come to the states. I can get dark in the summer when playing a lot of tennis, which may be the reason I may look like someone other than Chinese...I think I look Chinese...see for yourself...

http://www.myspace.com/youngbraveheart
...do I look like an ABC or a FOB? (LOL)

[slipthejab]

Interesting.
Looking at your picture you could pass for Chinese (that sounds funny... lol... but you know what I mean) but you could also pass for a few other types of Asian as well I suppose. Thai, Filipino etc. But then again... there are also many different types of each of those. Some with very heavy Sino influence.

When your family first arrived in Hawaii what were they doing? Were they traders? And did they come from a particular area in China/Taiwan?

[Mushroom]

Ya what now? You don't watch Japanese anime nor have a perchant for hentai rather than real, true to life pr0nz? You're no chinese... :D


I do have a penchant for hentai...but its mainly due that I'm a perv rather than being Chinese.
(which in most cases is one and the same)

[youngbraveheart]

When your family first arrived in Hawaii what were they doing? Were they traders? And did they come from a particular area in China/Taiwan?

All I know is that my great-grandfather owned a small share of the Oahu Market (or maybe loaned money), which was started by another Young (Family). The Oahu Market still exists today as a landmark in Chinatown. I actually met a relative of one of the original owner of the Oahu Market here in northern CA. He is also a "Young." My uncle told me that us "Youngs" came from Chung Shan (District) of Guangdong Province (Canton) in China. (I think the village we came from is called Sun Ming Ting where my family still owns a small piece of land that we're trying to have legally turned over to a cousin in China.)

[slipthejab]

Ah interesting. That is very close to Hong Kong. We have an express train that goes directly to Guangzhou city. And there are express ferries that go directly to Zhuhai as well. The Guangdong province is one of the most prosperous of the southern provinces as there is lots of investment and lots of factories in that area. Not to mention no less than 10 universities!!! I get up there at least once a week. But usually it's only to Shenzen, Zhuhai or Guangzhou. The cities are easy to get to... but there are still many, many rural villages in this province where in some respects very little has changed in 100 years - simple farmers and water buffalo. A fascinating mix of peoples and languages as well.

Many of the Chinese peoples from this region are very intrepid and you'll often find that many of the Chinese that ventured overseas came from this region.

What languages do your parents and relatives speak? Is there one dominant Chinese tongue?

[youngbraveheart]

What languages do your parents and relatives speak? Is there one dominant Chinese tongue?

How cool is that for you to be able to travel around like that...I actually spoke to someone by the name of Leung yesterday from Chung Shan (by way of Hawaii) who told me that I need to go to China to visit.

My mother was born and raised in Hong Kong (while the rest of her four siblings were born in the states) and she'd speak whatever the other person speaking to her spoke...but I think her family spoke Toishan dialect...I always spoke English to my father, but I'm not sure what his family spoke. My mother was proud to say to friends that I spoke (in her words) "pure Cantonese." My vocabulary though is diminishing rapidly after my parents passed away. I did speak with a girl cousin in China a couple of years ago and heard a different dialect (probably what my family is supposed to speak). I was only able to use simple Cantoneses words to talk to her - trying very hard not to mix English into the conversation - typical of the way I speak Cantonese nowadays. I'd have to ask my uncle (only living sibling) what dialect "our" family speaks...

BTW I came across an English written newspaper clipping my mother had a few years ago (which I cannot find now) about my mother setting a long jump record in HK back in the late 1940's (when she was in high school)...I forget what the distance was in meters (maybe 5.5 meters) because when I converted the distance - it was a little over 18 feet. I suppose there's no way to find any information going back that far in time...kids nowadays can run and jump much farther.

Where are you from slipthejab? How is it that your English is excellent? What do you speak? What do you do?

[Chimpcheng]

I was only able to use simple Cantoneses words to talk to her - trying very hard not to mix English into the conversation - typical of the way I speak Cantonese nowadays.

That's probably typical of the way a lot of overseas Chinese (i.e. not living in mainland China or the surrounding 20 billion islands) speak. I know in the groups I'm associated with it's a mix of cantonese, english, hakka and a geordie accent to top it all off.

It's designed to throw off outsiders from listening into our conversations. :D

[youngbraveheart]

That's probably typical of the way a lot of overseas Chinese (i.e. not living in mainland China or the surrounding 20 billion islands) speak. I know in the groups I'm associated with it's a mix of cantonese, english, hakka and a geordie accent to top it all off.

It's designed to throw off outsiders from listening into our conversations. :D

LOL about throwing off outsiders...even though I always speak English to my wife, occasionally when we're out on the town we'll speak in Chinese (me - Cantonese her-Toishan), so non-Chinese people wouldn't understand what we were saying...