Chinatown is a commercial neighbourhood located in Philadelphia. Presently, it serves as an admission point for new settlers, with numerous businesses concentrated in the town. In this research paper, I will explore the Chinese community in Philadelphia. During the 19th century, immigrants began their settlements in Philadelphia, and therefore, they began their trade in the area, and thus, Philadelphia’s Chinatown was built. It is located in this part of Philadelphia because it served as an entry point for many immigrants, and it was termed an ethnic terrain economy where some businesses were started and were geologically located in Chinatown. However, there are no certified boundaries for the Chinese ethnic community in Philadelphia. No specific language was so common since there were various interactions while doing business, and therefore, a variety of languages was used due to special commitments (Barkan, 2013).
A number of philosophies have surrounded the connection between the native languages of the immigrants and the main language in the host nation. The subtleties of languages within the immigrant communities are not clear, although Cantonese Chinese, English, and Mandarin Chinese are frequently used. The most audible language in Chinese towns was basically Chinese and English, but because there were interactions between the Chinese ethnic community and other immigrants who settled in Philadelphia, the Chinese language thus could not be used alone. Therefore, the English language had to be incorporated for the sake of immigrants who could not understand the Chinese language. The Chinese were fundamentally Cantonese.
I visited various areas in Philadelphia, and one of the locations that caught my eye was the public library, which is also referred to as the Independence Library. It was named after its vicinity of Independence National Park, and it was created in 1997. Well-wishers joined hands in building the free library that served as a public centre for Chinatown and the rest of the neighbourhoods. I also visited the starlight holiness church, which is one of the ancient places of worship in Philadelphia. It is such an attractive church, and it pursues to help the underprivileged in society. It is one of the best exploration locations in Chinatown, and it helps in boosting one’s religious faith. Philadelphia was also another location that I visited, where engineers and crafts workers constructed a 40-foot-tall building that is well ornamented with adornments and signs from the ancient empires. The supernatural creatures decorating the building are significant for permanence and good luck.
Various special events are always advertised for the community to attend. One of the advertisements that caught my eye was that of a weekly conversation hour at the Independence Library, whereby adults perfect their English language, both spoken and written. I found this event important since those who are not conversant with the English language can get an opportunity to learn and also interact. The China Chinatown Friendship Gate is where most advertisements were made, mostly for special events such as festivals and advertisements of the best restaurants within Philadelphia and the recreational areas. This was essential for both the residents and immigrants who toured the area, as they acted as guides for the best sightseeing locations and events that would take place within a certain time in Chinatown (Barkan, 2013).
References
Barkan, E. R. (2013). Immigrants in American history: Arrival, adaptation, and integration. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
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