Tracing My Roots: A Story of Heritage, Dialects, and Migration

When people look at me, they often can’t quite figure out where I’m from. And honestly, I get it. My ethnicity isn’t easily guessed just by appearances. But here’s the thing: I’m not mixed with anything other than the many rich and diverse cultures that already exist within China itself. My background is a beautiful blend of Chinese heritage—specifically Toishanese and Teochew.

Now, unless you’re familiar with the intricacies of Chinese geography and ethnic subgroups, you might not recognize those terms. Both Toisan (also spelled Taishan) and Teochew (or Chaozhou) represent distinct regions and cultures within southern China, even though they both fall under the broader Guangdong Province.

A Tale of Two Heritages

Toisan, or Taishan, is a city located in the southern part of Guangdong Province. It holds a special place in Chinese diaspora history, especially for early Chinese immigrants who left for North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Teochew, on the other hand, refers to the people originating from Chaozhou, a city also in Guangdong, but northeast of Toisan. Though geographically within the same province, these two regions have their own distinct cultures, customs, and—most notably—dialects.

Growing up, my family’s cultural identity was an interesting intersection of these two lineages. Each side of my family spoke their own dialect—Toishanese on one side, Teochew on the other. Ironically, I was never taught to speak either one. Instead, our household primarily communicated in Cantonese, the more widely spoken dialect of southern China and Hong Kong. So while I was surrounded by layers of linguistic diversity, I only caught fragments of it firsthand.

Discovering Roots Through Stories

Understanding where you come from isn’t always about knowing the language or wearing cultural garments. Sometimes, it’s about asking questions, listening to stories, and uncovering the journeys that brought your family to where they are now.

My own journey of self-discovery began with learning about my parents and grandparents. My parents both grew up in Hong Kong, where East met West in a vibrant blend of tradition and modernity. Eventually, they each made the life-changing decision to immigrate to Canada, though at different times and under different circumstances.

My father immigrated to Montreal as a teenage boy. Like many newcomers, he faced challenges adapting to a new language, climate, and culture. But over time, he settled into his new home and proudly became a Canadian citizen. My mother, on the other hand, came to Canada on a student visa. She pursued her studies and eventually found herself enrolled at John Abbott College—a CEGEP, which stands for Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel. In Quebec, this public institution represents a unique level of post-secondary education that sits between high school and university.

Love and a New Beginning

Fate brought my parents together in the halls of John Abbott College. What began as two young individuals navigating a foreign land turned into a lasting love story. They got married, built a life together, and started a family right there in Montreal, Quebec.

Their journey reminds me that our family’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and identity. It’s a story woven with threads from multiple regions in China, rooted in the bustling streets of Hong Kong, and flourished in the multicultural landscape of Canada.

The Legacy of Knowing

As I reflect on all of this, I’ve come to realize how important it is to know where you come from. Even if you don’t speak the language or fully understand every custom, knowing your family’s origin stories gives you a deeper appreciation of who you are. My roots may span across Toisan and Teochew, but my identity is the sum of every migration, every dialect, every cultural nuance that shaped my lineage.

I may not speak the dialects of my grandparents, but I carry their legacy in my values, my traditions, and my journey forward.