Translation
The Hong Kong Institute of Education
16th Congregation
Words of Appreciation by Ms Yang Chun
(Session 3)
Mr Ma, Professor Cheung, Honourable Guests, Parents, and Fellow Graduates:
I am extremely honoured today to extend a vote of thanks on behalf of my fellow
graduates from the first cohort of the Master of Arts in Chinese Studies (Language
Education). In the following speech, I will switch to Putonghua. There are too many
words of gratitude, too much appreciation; too many memories, too much to be
reluctant to leave.
tongue.
I cannot do my emotions justice if I do not use my mother
Time flies; two years have passed, just like that. Here, we want to express our
utmost gratitude to the Institute for offering this programme, and Dr Cheung Wing
Tak, the Programme Coordinator; thanks to the meticulous preparation of each and
every teacher, we have enjoyed brilliant and meaningful lessons, all of them deserving
of remembrance.
Thank you to all our teachers: for your profound learned
knowledge, your painstaking preparation, your methodical, patient guidance, and your
whole-hearted teaching... From now on, we will work extra hard, ensuring we never
disappoint your expectations. No matter what we face as a teacher, or encounter in
our personal lives, we will always remember the guidance you have gifted us.
Dearest classmates; my close, yet distant, classmates; I have a lot to say to you. We
may be of different ages, from different backgrounds; but we met here, all in pursuit
of a common goal and dream.
We no longer have the insouciance of youth, nor the
bold, unfettered spirits of carefree students. What we possess now are heavy
burdens of responsibility and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
It was here that we met, on that road to school on which we all dragged our weary
bodies.
Every moment of it will be imprinted firmly in our consciousness; we have
too many shared memories, like those all-nighters we pulled, burning the candle at
both ends just to hand in assignments… I still remember your encouraging words on
the way after class; the smiles that spoke volumes, more than words; the caring and
understanding, I all felt. Regrets are inevitable - after all, we were often too busy to
talk. Talk about busy!
You, the one who only had time to eat a few bites of bread
for lunch; she, the one who put her head down to take a well-needed nap at
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Translation
break-time… I can’t even remember all your names. I didn’t have the chance, even
just once, to hold those hands that were so busy correcting pupils’ assignments. But
I remembered your faces: I remembered our friendship. Regret, in its own way, still
has a certain beauty. Thank you, dear classmates, for walking through this part of
our lives together.
We must also extend our thanks and appreciation to those family members who have
provided their unfailing support for the last two years: thank you!
To the
passionate, thoughtful, patient administrative staff members of the Chinese
Department, for all the help they’ve given us: thank you all! It’s time to graduate,
even if we don’t want to say goodbye, even if we’re not merely being wistful.
Let
our hearts be filled with gratitude, and blessings for all.
Lastly, I would like to wish you all a healthy and joyous life, and a prosperous future.
Here’s to a bright future for us!
Thank you!
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