Is your English better than that of this Qing dynasty ‘princess’?

A video showing “Princess” Der Ling from the Qing dynasty making a speech in fluent English went viral on the Chinese internet.

[FallenAngel]

She literally was a translator, if she can't speak proper english, no one else can

[lorenzobianchi]

"...then she moved to California" immediately shows a kid holding a gun

[zucc]

"She studied French, English, and dance."

Ah yes, the three diplomatic languages

[GabrielLites]

I like how the recording has better sound quality than most of our school teacher’s microphones during Zoom classes a while ago

[aerolchristopherinfante]

"During that time, she studied French, English, and dance."

The question is, is she fluent in dance?

[LEELOLKH]

No surprise. Royal family do need to learn multi language.

[yugioht]

Actually I can hear the slight hint of the Chinese accent in her that just doesn’t go away no matter how hard you try. It’s present in those who learned English later in life. It’s extremely subtle but because the Chinese language tends not to linger on the S sound very much so a small gap appears with the tongue and lips letting air escape slightly fast than normal. It’s super subtle and you know it’s there when you are Chinese yourself but learned English very early in life and the accent never appears. Most Chinese tend to double syllables or do stop-starts when speaking English as it’s so foreign to them. It’s just something you notice only if you hang around Chinese for a long time as you hear a slight difference. This accent is a trademark of Chinese who learned English beyond age 10. I myself did not get that accent but I did gain a slight piney woods accent being in the south so long you sorta pick it up despite you not actively trying.

[silencia]

"During that time, she studied French, English, and dance."

Princess Der Ling was so bright being fluent in French, English and Interpretive dance
👯

[joshouaroonshin]

The most surprised was how 1930 recording and sound still be remained that crystal clear till you can appreciate her accents.

[nuzayerov]

No doubt she used Duolingo to learn English.

[technocrat]

I personally know a Chinese diplomat grandson born in Moscow, attended La Sorbonne. Speaks 6 foreign languages fluently and almost flawless.

[spaceowel]

this was still at a time when "educated" meant learning an instrument, many languages, dances and many other things

[danaprendick]

So, a woman who spent her time translating English, and married an English speaking person, after many years of private English lessons... speaks English well? Yes?

[jimxcy]

She sounds like queen Elizabeth II doing the Christmas speech lol.

[lizipearlvlogs]

She's not a princess...she's a 💖queen!💖 Her message is so pure. I'm not surprised about her English speaking skills, because language acquisition is possible for all people. But I love how she's an advocate for peace during such a tumultuous time in history.

[mariolis]

Lucky she moved to the US

Staying in China during what came next would have been VERY dangerous if you were a Qing Official

[Jonathan-fuiy]

Claim your"i got this recommended in 2020"ticket.

[CaptainObviousyearsago]

We will meet again when this gets recommended after 10 years.

[wiktoriagwozdowska]

Ah i just love watching and seeing videos / pictures of the past and the people who lived back then for some reason i feel strong connection with all those past times it brings tears to my eyes and feel like i just could travel there in a second 🧐😊

[stevenbaer]

Wow she's actually very extremely amazing woman and she spoke English very well. She was actually a translator for Empress Dowager Cixi.