Girl In Translation

To incorporate the Chinese language, the author uses literal translations of Chinese idioms in lines of dialogue, giving the English equivalent as an explanation. For example, Ma tells Aunt Paula that she can "release her heart" (143), which "meant that Aunt Paula didn't need to worry" (143). Kim explains that there are subtleties to communication in Chinese which cannot be exactly translated, but by providing the literal translation, the reader gets a better sense of how the Chinese characters interact with one another.

Conversely, when Kim is learning English, the author uses phonetic transcription, which she italicizes to spare any confusion. On her first day of public school, Kim approaches a security guard for help finding her classroom. The woman responds, "Go downda hall, two fights up, classroom's firsdur left" (24). Having learned some English in school in Hong Kong, Kim can only make out about half of what her teachers say to her. As her English gets better, the phonetic transcription drops out.

Given her position as a working-class Chinese immigrant, Kim cannot help but have a constant awareness of her relationship to markers of identity. First, she experiences differences in race through her exposure to the predominantly black populations of her elementary school and Brooklyn neighborhood. Next, through her friendship with Annette, she becomes aware of how having money can provide a wholly different experience of life. Finally, as the only Chinese person in her private high school, she experiences an estrangement from her peers that can't be bridged by any quality of friendship. She also realizes that she has opportunities to transcend some, though not all, of the circumstances of her life as she matures.

When Kim stands up to Aunt Paula, Ma apologizes, but Paula brushes it off, saying "Those bamboo shoots, they're like that" (165). In their world, 'bamboo shoot' refers to someone who was born and raised in America, "meaning he or she was Westernized" (165). Because of their exposure to the public and private education systems in the U.S., Kim and Nelson have more of a chance to become fully Westernized than Matt, who spends most of his time in Chinatown, working. In fact, Aunt Paula asks Ma to help Nelson with his Chinese skills, and Matt has forgotten most of his Chinese reading skills. Ma also spends all her time in America around fellow Chinese-speakers. Even with study guides, tapes, and Kim's help, she can't ever quite get the hang of speaking English. For her, though, it is less necessary to learn. With Kim's help, she can get by in her day-to-day life. For Kim, it becomes important to assimilate, not only because she sees it as a way to become successful, but as a way to feel less like an outsider.