The in-between in disguise | Dr. May-yi Shaw | TEDxWanChai

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences.
Using personal anecdotes, Dr. Shaw illustrates how the concept of third-culture-kid (a term first coined in the 1950s) can be characterised by an overriding sense of “in-betweenness”, and how this feeling, present in everyone to some degree, can empower us to identify and pursue our individual purpose in life.
Dr. May-yi Shaw is a U.S.-born and Taiwan-raised “third culture kid”, a passionate researcher in identity and cross-cultural perspectives, and currently a faculty member at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Having led most of her adult life as a global nomad, May-yi’s transcultural and transnational experiences have enabled her to become an expert on cross-cultural communication. Following years of study at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Tokyo, Waseda University and a PhD degree in East Asian Languages and Civilisations from Harvard University, May-yi was able to develop her deep-rooted passion for identity as an Associate Professor at Shanghai Jiaotong University, where she taught courses on English journalism and cross-cultural studies. From 2011 to 2013, May-yi also served as the host of the award-winning bilingual talk show “Culture Matters” by the International Channel of Shanghai.
Today, May-yi’s courses at HKUST-“China in the Foreigners’ Eyes”, “Identity Goes Global-From Border Crossing to Boundary Remaking” and “Questions of Humanity in World Literature”-seek to approach topics of cultures and humanity through a cross-cultural perspective.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@billwong6077]

This talk is very interesting. I am a trilingual person myself- as I speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. I grew up in Hong Kong and moved to the US with my family as an 11 year old. I was lucky that my grandparents chose a community that has a pretty big Chinese population. Shortly after my family and I settled in where we would live (as we live there for 2 years before we moved to a house a couple blocks away), my parents told my sister and I, "You should keep your Cantonese. You will know why later." I listened, but my sister not really so. Now, I am able to utilise my language skills (since I also keep my Mandarin skills pretty well when I learned it in Hong Kong) as an occupational therapist.
Since I became an occupational therapist, I slowly have become a proficient public speaker, which I think people who knew me before then would be shocked (since I wasn't good at it as a kid). As my confidence increased, I started to dream about the possibility of doing a professional presentation entirely in Cantonese or Mandarin (I prefer Cantonese since it's my native language). Since then, I have done 2 TEDx Talks, but both in English. When I watched yours, you gave me such an inspiration on how I might want to do my next TEDx if I ever am lucky enough to have another chance.

[@Prankzterstarr]

Dr Shaw so well said! Love your speech.

[@TCKidTV]

Awesome talk!

[@dyuweb]

Love

[@iamgraci_]

9:21 samee

[@kantimmanuel5952]

这英语说的真好