MALAYSIAN singing sensation Jeryl Lee Pei Ling, 16, impressed the judges and audience in the Sing! China reality talent show from the first episode up to the semi-finals.
She secured the fifth of six spots in the finals at the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing on Oct 7.
Despite not winning Sing! China, Lee has proved to Malaysians that age is but a number and that we should never limit ourselves. She has put Malaysia on the map as a nation that produces talent and tenacity.
Her voice is so melodious and versatile that she could deliver Mandarin and English songs equally well. At such a young age, she has impressed not only her mentor but also millions of people in Malaysia and China.
As tourism is an important source of income to the economy, Lee’s outstanding performance in the competition has the potential to attract tourists from China to visit our country.
Sing! China is not only broadcast in China but other countries as well.
As a Mandarin song enthusiast, I was motivated to write and speak Mandarin at the age of 17. I understand how difficult it is to sing well in Mandarin, let alone compete against the Chinese contestants. I am proud of Lee’s ability and her Chinese-Indian parentage.
Although English is the global lingua franca, many Westerners realise the benefits of learning Mandarin.
China may soon overtake the United States as the largest economy in the world, so the importance of Mandarin will be enhanced.
Those who are proficient in Mandarin stand a better chance of being employed by multinational companies that have transactions with China.
In 2001, I was given an opportunity to implement a hotel system in Shanghai as I was proficient in Mandarin. It exposed me to a new working environment and enriched my experience. It also enhanced my profile, leading to better career advancements.
Those who are not educated in Chinese schools may want to follow my method of learning Mandarin, that is through singing. Just listen, sing and copy the song lyrics repeatedly until you are familiar with the Chinese characters. It is easier to learn Mandarin using the hanyu pinyin system, which is printed alongside each character.
It took me two years to reproduce complete song lyrics on paper and I later penned a letter to my mother.
PATRICK TEH,
Ipoh, Perak