SOTY 2024/25: Linguist (Mandarin) winner uses language to promote culture, build connections
Chen Hening struggled to make friends when she moved to Hong Kong in primary school, but quickly learned Cantonese while mastering Mandarin
Chen Hening is a 17-year-old Form Five student at Diocesan Girls’ School. Photo: HandoutChen Hening, a 17-year-old Form Five student at Diocesan Girls’ School, has made significant strides in mastering Mandarin and using language as a tool for connection.
Her interest in public speaking has led her to numerous competitions, where she has cultivated her skills and gained valuable experiences.
One of her accomplishments includes representing Hong Kong in the Chinese Middle School Student Essay Competition, where she won the Hengyuanxiang Literary Star Nomination Award and the Most Expressive Award.
Hening believes that language has the power to preserve and promote culture: “Whether it’s Mandarin, Cantonese, or regional dialects, they all carry the heritage of Chinese culture,” she said.
Her journey to becoming fluent in Cantonese began when she moved to Hong Kong in Primary Five. Adjusting to a new environment came with challenges, particularly language barriers.
“It was hard to make friends,” she recalled. “Learning Cantonese helped me integrate and build relationships.”
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Now fluent, she volunteers to teach Cantonese to new immigrants, drawing from her own experience to help them adapt. Through weekly sessions at her church, she uses creative methods like drama to make the learning process engaging and practical.
In addition to language education, Hening’s commitment to community service extends to visiting the elderly. These interactions, which she describes as both meaningful and eye-opening, have reinforced her aspirations to work in the medical field.
She believes that effective communication is key to healthcare and has been inspired by the resilience of those she encounters.
“Seeing people overcome challenges motivates me to contribute to their well-being,” she said.
One memory involves a young boy she observed daily at a stop for a rehabilitation bus. The boy, who uses a wheelchair, became a symbol of determination and a source of inspiration for Hening. “I often thought about how I could help people like him. It strengthened my resolve to pursue a career in medicine,” she explained.
Hening’s upbringing also included a unique cultural experience – studying Peking opera under her grandmother’s encouragement. While she no longer practises, the lessons instilled a deep respect for traditional Chinese art forms. She hopes to use modern platforms, such as video production, to introduce these traditions to younger audiences.
Hening’s dedication to language made her the latest Linguist (Mandarin) prize winner at the prestigious Student of the Year Awards (SOTY), organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Looking ahead, Hening is determined to enter medical school. Inspired by an alumna who combines art with paediatric orthopaedic care, Hening hopes to incorporate her love for music into her future practice.
“Perhaps I could sing to patients to brighten their recovery journey,” she said.