"Six months after that, I left Taiwan, first for Hong Kong and then for mainland China, where I spent another three months studying still more Chinese and generally kicking around the country"
- Eric Allin Cornell
About this Quote
In this quote, Eric Allin Cornell gives a brief account of his travels and research studies, painting a photo of a journey devoted to finding out and exploration. The quote reflects a phase in Cornell's life where he appears to have actually been deeply immersed in Chinese culture and language.
Initially, Cornell points out leaving Taiwan, suggesting that he might have spent a substantial amount of time there before this phase of his journey. Taiwan, understood for its mix of standard and modern Chinese culture, possibly functioned as an initial base for his research studies or expedition. However, after six months, he chooses to leave, suggesting a desire to expand his horizons and perhaps experience different aspects of Chinese-speaking areas.
His next destination is Hong Kong, a city known for its distinct combination of Eastern and Western cultures, maybe providing him a various point of view on lifestyle, language, and culture. Cornell's choice of words, "initially for Hong Kong," recommends that while it was a stop on his journey, it wasn't the final location. Hong Kong, with its dynamic streets, lively life, and status as an entrance to China, might have functioned as a best shift point.
Following his remain in Hong Kong, Cornell moves on to mainland China. His time there, described as "another three months studying still more Chinese and generally subjugating the nation," highlights a continuous dedication to learning. His usage of "still more Chinese" suggests that language acquisition was a constant goal, most likely showing a deep interest for understanding and interacting within the culture.
The phrase "normally subjugating the country" conveys a sense of casual exploration and an openness to brand-new experiences. This recommends that Cornell was not just focused on academic pursuits but was also crazy about soaking up the daily life and varied cultures within various regions of China.
Jointly, this passage records a duration of active knowing and experience, showcasing Cornell's devotion to cultural and linguistic immersion in Chinese-speaking regions.
"The problem with a lot of Chinese is that they put up divisions between Taiwanese, Hong Kong natives, mainlanders. We are never united. I really hope that the Chinese can be more united"
"American stuntmen are smart - they think about safety. When they do a jump in a car, they calculate everything: the speed, the distance... But in Hong Kong, we don't know how to count. Everything we do is a guess. If you've got the guts, you do it. All of my stuntmen have gotten hurt"
"And I managed to arrange to get some research support and to stay in Hong Kong for another year and a half, interviewing people coming out of China, both Westerners and Chinese. And that was my first real research study on thought reform or so-called brainwashing"
"In the West audiences think I am a stereotyped action star, or that I always play hitmen or killers. But in Hong Kong, I did a lot of comedy, many dramatic films, and most of all, romantic roles, lots of love stories. I was like a romance novel hero"
"That's so different in Hong Kong when I'm using my own mother language, I can treat the line in one thousand different ways, with many different reactions"
"It's a remake of a film called Inferno Affairs. It's a Hong Kong film, and if we come anywhere close to what they did in the original, we're going to have a hot property on our hands, because Inferno Affairs is a great piece"
"I would love mainland Chinese to read my book. There is a Chinese translation which I worked on myself, published in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Many copies have gone into China but it is still banned"
