You have to wonder whether Yao Ming knows any English at all. I'm just thinking in a worst case scenario, so if we find out the language barrier is effecting his NBA transition, we won't take it so hard. If he hasn't learned any English, it will make his transition that much more difficult! Hopefully he can come in like a DIRK and learn the system first by hand signals and then pick up on the language and the slang. I can't wait for ESPNnews to interview him after his 3rd straight triple-double and he busts out w/ some ghetto jargon (in English) that he picked up from Cat and Franchise. That's beside the point, however. He knows a bit of our language, right? If not, you would think he would be trying to learn, since he's been trying to enter the NBA for almost 3 years now. Hopefully, all this time in China playing ball will give him the time and opportunity to study up on the important words and phrases.
as far as I know, Yao knows a good deal of English. He had conversations with rudy and carrol as well as Goldberg's kids. However, I was disappointed to see him use a translator during the draft. He may not be confortable with his English
In a Foxsports radio interview, CD said he was suprised at how well Yao spoke english. I think he went with the interpreter during the draft so as to make sure everything he wanted to say was conveyed properly.
Michael Goldberg, the attorney who negotiated the deal in China, said he gave his cell phone to Yao and Yao talked with his kids for 10 minutes. I'm pretty sure his kids don't know Chinese. os
But that's just because Goldberg's kids speaks Chinese, though. Just kidding Seriously, I'm sure he'll be able to overcome the language barrier, his U.S. expat players teammates can assure you that. He acts as the non-official interpretor between his Chinese & American teammates at times.
Like I said during the Draft Chat. Ming speaks better English than a few of the Americans drafted. Most notably Dajuan Wagner. My God. How stupid will these players get before their schools actually make them open a book.
Ming probably "understands" more English than he can "speak" This is natural for people learning a new language. Also, from all reports Ming's English is decent and is getting better. I think it is important to note that the REASON that Ming uses an interpruter during interviews is he does not want to be "Mis-quoted." This is SMART! He knows how the media is and how they like to take things and turn them around to present their "story." So for important interviews Ming wants to make sure that what he says is what he MEANS and does not get taken out of context due to his developing English skills, thus the use of the interpruter. Chris
there will be a culture shock, but I don't think it will be that bad since he will see a lot of asian presence around him, Because he is one of the superstar and icon!!
Let's clear this up...again. Yao DOES speak English. He speaks well enough to carry on conversations and to talk basketball. Is he fluent? Not completely, but enough to be able to handle the language barrier fine. The reason he uses an interpreter is because MANY foreign players who have English as a secondary language use them to prevent being mis-interpreted. It isn't the lack of comfort with English, specifically, but the concern that they may mix up a phrase or say something that has a connotative meaning they didn't mean.
Deuce is again on the money. I was made in Taiwan, so I can vouch for the absolute fact that Chinese folks can understand English far better than they can speak it. The reverse is true - those with some proficiency in foreign languages find it easier to understand what is being said than to come up with words to speak. Understanding is just using your memory and recognition - like a multiple choice test. Coming up with words is like an essay exam. There may also be some motivation to keep exectations down on Ming's language skills, but I think you're right, it's probably to keep from being misquoted or misunderstood.
