As President Rafael Reif said eloquently in his message of support to the community following the Atlanta shootings, in which eight victims, including six Asian women, died: “we would not be MIT without you.” Global Languages would similarly not be Global Languages without our AAPI colleagues, instructors, and students – and all those who study or otherwise engage with Asian languages and cultures.

Dating back to the earliest years of this nation, when newly independent Americans sought to build economic stability through international commerce, the voyage of the Empress of China in 1784 marked the beginning of a long commercial relationship with Asia. Much American wealth was built on the lucrative trade of furs, ginseng – and later opium and cotton goods – for Chinese porcelains, teas, and silks, and spices and other goods from Asia. This wealth is tied into the history of American universities, especially here in New England.

It was this lucrative trade, and later missionary interests, that spurred the study of Asian languages and cultures in American universities in the 19th century, a field of study that was further expanded in response to the needs of World War II and the Cold War. Although Asian languages were only introduced into the MIT curriculum after the 1980s, MIT’s engagement with China and other Asian countries dates back virtually to the first years of the Institute. And students from Asia matriculated at MIT as early as the 1870s. Thus, as Pres. Reif stated, MIT would not be MIT without our AAPI community members.

All of us here in Global Languages firmly believe that only by studying other languages and other cultures, other histories, can we really connect to one another. As propounded by leaders in language education: through learning new words, we learn new worlds.

In that spirit, we offer you these words from our Asian language colleagues – phrases of care and comfort to try, to practice, and to share with those around you:

Please take care.

• Chinese: 多多保重。Duōduō bǎozhòng.
• Japanese: くれぐれも、気をつけてください。Kureguremo ki o tsukete kudasai.
• Korean: 몸조심 하세요. Momjosim-haseyo.

If you want to talk about it, let me know.

• Chinese: 如果你想找人聊聊，可以告诉我。Rúguǒ nǐ xiǎng zhǎo rén liáoliao, kěyǐ gàosù wǒ.
• Japanese: 何か相談したいことがあったら、いつでも連絡してください。 Nanika soodan shitai koto ga attara, itsudemo renraku shite kudasai.
• Korean: 얘기할 게 있으면 저한테 말하세요. Yaegihal Ge Isseu-myeon Jeohante Mal-haseyo.

You can call me whenever you feel bad.

• Chinese:心情不好的时候，可以给我打电话。Xīnqíng bù hǎode shíhou, kěyǐ gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.
• Japanese: 心配になった時は、いつでも電話してください。Shinpai ni natta toki wa, itsudemo denwa shite kudasai.
• Korean: 걱정이 있다면 저한테 얘기하세요. Geokjeongi Itda-myeon Jeohante Yaegihaseyo

I’m here for you. We’ll get through this together.

• Chinese: 我会陪着你，我们会一起度过。Wǒ huì péizhe nǐ, wǒmen huì yīqǐ dùguò.
• Japanese: 一緒になって、頑張りましょう！Issyoni natte, ganbarimasyou!
• Korean: 저도 함께 있으니까 힘내세요. Jeo-do Hamkke Isseunikka Him-naeseyo.

Feel free to let me know if there is anything I can do.

• Chinese: 如果有我能帮忙的地方，尽管告诉我。Rúguǒ yǒu wǒ néng bāngmángde dìfang, jǐnguǎn gàosù wǒ.
• Japanese: 何かできることがあったら、いつでも連絡してください。Nanika dekiru koto ga attara, itsudemo renraku shite kudasai.
• Korean: 도움이 필요하면 언제든지 얘기하세요. Doumi Piryo-hamyeon Yaegi-haseyo.

For further information, please see these MIT resources provided at the AAPI Student Community Conversation.