the normalcy of normal
Thursday, January 22, 2009 (9:03 PM)
the english has a very simple idea of "normal". i do not necessarily refer to the british. however, in english, when one is normal. one is normal. the formula is simple:
normal = normal = normal
when one says "you are normal" or "you are very normal", it may not necessarily be a compliment but at the very least, it's highly unlikely to be criticism. the chinese on the other hand, makes very distinct differences between the two.
which two?
the good normal (正常) and the bad normal (普通). 你很正常 is good. 你很普通 is bad. the former referring to the normal state of mind or behaviour while the latter emphasizes the inability to stand out or to outshine. this can be seen in the individual characters of mandarin. 正 suggests a state of being correct, and 常 suggests a common state. so 正常 really tells you if you are otherwise, you are not correct. or not in the right state of mind. 普 suggests simplicity while 通 suggests a common state as well or what can be said as something that is observed throughout the sample population. so being 普通 means you are thoroughly simple.
though both can be more or less simply translated as "you are very normal".
perhaps then that the english think normalcy is neutral while the chinese think normalcy is more than just normal.
but despite having english as our first language and the medium of instruction, our education system suggests otherwise. being in the normal stream is not very normal. being in express stream is being normal. while being in the special stream is special but it is really just an express class.
the taiwanese have a simple streaming system in education. being in A stream means being in the best stream. B means the common and normal stream. while C refers to those who take a slightly longer time to absorb materials.
when our taiwanese friends heard that our streaming system calls it special, express and normal, they were laughing over it.
are you normal? no.
are you special? no.
i'm express.