How does Martin Booth uses language techniques to convey the cultural difference between west and east in the chapter Sae Hoi Jau Dim?
How does Martin Booth uses language techniques to convey the cultural difference between west and east in chapter “Sae Hoi Jau Dim”?
In the memoir “Gweilo”, cultural differences are clearly emphasized. From the emphasis on typical Chinese food, the local Cantonese dialect to the superstition of god, the writer has effectively convey the importance on the Chinese culture
Booth’s use of diction is to convey the importance of food in the Chinese culture. Typical Chinese foods are emphasized such as “100 – (or 1000-) year- old eggs” It is described in detail as “grey- green” and “semi – transparent black jelly that look like onyx”. The purpose of this close description is to give the reader a image of the traditional Chinese food, because it is something that the western culture does not have. So the reader can understand the Chinese culture more. We can see that Martin, the young European boy has never seen such things before in his homeland, because he is described as “fascinated” when he sees the egg shop. This emphasizes that the Chinese culture is very unique.
