Ever since I've known Hon's father, I've had the hardest time differentiating when he says my name and American. Both come out as "May-can". Within moments of this word's utterance, I find myself scrambling through the context to figure out: "Me or my people?"
It wasn't until I started listening to the Pimsleur Cantonese CDs that I understood why. American translates to May-gwat-yan. Just as there is initial "ah" sound in the Cantonese, there is no initial "ah" sound in his father's English version, leaving the first syllable to be very similar to my own.
As brilliant as this revelation is, it leaves me no better than before. While I now understand why his dad has lost the distinguishing "ah" sound, it doesn't change the fact that he still hasn't found it. So in the Lui house.. I am my people. I am May-can.
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