About Me


Hello, 

My name is Wanhua Regalado. I was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on September 20th, 1991 and have lived here in the capital city for most of my life, except for when I went to South Korea under a scholarship to study the Korean language and culture for a year; and the time I spent seven months abroad at a foreign exchange program in Europe. Something people notice about me fairly quickly is my Asian heritage. This, of course can be explained by clarifying that I was raised in a biracial household; my father is Dominican and comes from a small town called Gaspar Hernández located in the northern region of Dominican Republic, while my mother comes from Shikoku, the smallest of the major islands of Japan. 

I am currently a senior in university, majoring in Modern Languages and also work as a kindergarten teacher aide for an American School. I can speak four languages, two of them fluently (Spanish and English) and the other two at an intermediate level (Japanese and Korean). My dream is to master all of them fluently and add three more into my repertoire: French, Portuguese and German. 

As for what I enjoy doing in my free time, I can say I like walking around the Colonial Zone the most, for it evokes in me a nostalgic feeling attributed to the history it carries within its architecture, as well as hanging out in cafes and tea shops, preferably those that serve all kinds of delicious pastries. Moreover, I love reading books as they elucidate different perspectives of the human experience I would not understand otherwise, and finally, I may also say I truly enjoy watching and analyzing independent movies with my film-enthusiast friends, as well as engaging in thought-provoking conversations with them. 

I hope through this class I may continue to expand my knowledge of the English language and hone alongside my classmates our linguistics skills. 

W.R. 

Comentarios

  1. YOMAR FIGUEROA9 de febrero de 2020, 21:01

    Hi,
    I really enjoyed to read your intro, and I think we have a semester loaded with proficiency to be shared with.
    Blessings!!!

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    Respuestas
    1. Wanhua Regalado3 de marzo de 2020, 11:08

      Thanks for reading it, Yomar!

      Hope we may all have a fruitful semester!

      Eliminar
  2. Neftali Escolastico10 de febrero de 2020, 12:11

    Hello Wanhua! Great introduction. I see we have a few things in common; namely, hanging out in cafes, eating pastries, reading, and engaging in thought-provoking conversations. Speaking of thought-provoking conversations, do you think "Dembow" should be considered as music?
    I am thrilled about and looking forward to reading your well thought out response.

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    1. Wanhua Regalado3 de marzo de 2020, 11:06

      Hey Neftalí, that’s awesome! thanks for reading it~

      Regarding your question, my answer is both yes and no.

      Dembow can be considered as music, at least according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary which defines music as a: “science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity”. However, my personal opinion lists more towards Oxford English dictionary’s definition of what music is: “vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.”

      That being said, I personally do not find the genre of Dembow beautiful nor harmonious; in fact, I find it loud, repetitious and extremely dull; not to mention how utterly repulsive I find the misogyny that it often espouses in most of its lyrics.

      To conclude I would like to clarify that what people may or may not find as beautiful is a very subjective and diverse thing; therefore, take my words for what they are, simply my humble opinion.

      I hope that answers your query. ;)

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  3. Joel Méndez 10 de marzo de 2020, 11:12

    Este comentario ha sido eliminado por el autor.

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  4. Joel Méndez 10 de marzo de 2020, 11:14

    Hi Guys, I like your comments. What if I join you?

    I know it's been a long time since you commented. However, I did enjoy a lot reading Wanhua's writing, and also her extended explanation about this stimulating question that Nefta made. Consequently, I feel the duty to join this thought-provoking discussion about this particular matter.

    Once upon a time there was a young Dominican boy name Joel who studied Music, yes, I play the Piano, and I was given as "the meaning of Music" the definition Wanhua wrote from Merriam-Webster’s dictionary which I consider to be the most objective thought. Yet, it does not contradict Oxford English dictionary, but as I said I find it to be non-ideological thinking.

    Furthermore, Music expresses ideas and emotions that we as human beings feel; and reflects the culture of a group of citizens as well. Therefore, as Dominicans are always singing and listening to this genre of Dembow which is not that "piece of art" some people that have had a good education (well read, schooled, skilled, well prepared, knowledgeable, enrich, enlightened) would not like to listen to, it actually gives the world a general overview of our dirty feelings, thoughts, culture, and level of education. Having this last a remarkable, slow but relentless erosion.

    In conclusion, in order for those who find repulsive things like “the misogyny it often espouses in most of its lyrics” (Wanhua’s last comment) to contribute and help stop lyrics like these and others urban genres’ similar lyrics made by non-professional, let’s do something about it. Let’s teach next generations the importance of social and emotional values, such as tolerance, honesty, teamwork empathy, fair play and respect for others.

    Yes, Nefta, whether we like it or not, Dembow should be considered as music

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    1. Wanhua Regalado13 de abril de 2020, 16:31

      Hey Joel!

      I agree with your last paragraph where you mentioned that in order to eradicate the culture behind the often espoused misogyny from the urban scene, we must start by making changes in our society by instilling into the coming generations such values. In addition to that I'd like to express that I feel quite hopeful, as more and more urban musicians are becoming aware of their lyrics and are changing them for the better! Even if I personally dislike most urban genres, I can still acknowledge that the urban music scene is becoming catchier by the day, hell! I even have a guilty pleasure song (Blanco by JBalvin).

      Thanks for joining in the conversation ;)

      Eliminar

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