Van Dundas

Knocking Down the Language Barriers

Name: Van Dundas
Age: 42
Born: Vietnam
Lived in Scotland: 11 years

Van Dundas learned about Scotland by reading books.

She laughs at the memory. “It didn’t really prepare me! I mean, I knew about kilts and bagpipes, and I knew what the flower of Scotland was.

“But I never questioned moving here, even though I knew nothing about real life in Scotland. I had met the man I was going to marry and he was from Scotland, so that was it. It’s funny, but looking back I realise we didn’t really talk much about the place before we came.”

Big changes

Van was working for an oil company in her native Vietnam when she met her future husband. That was twelve years ago and since moving to Scotland she’s noticed some big changes.

“I completed an MBA at the University of Edinburgh Management School and my class are having a five-year reunion soon. Things have changed even since we graduated. Somewhere like London, there’s so much competition. Here there are real opportunities for people who want to try hard.

“It’s so different now – more cosmopolitan, more diverse and multi-cultural. When I arrived there were fewer than ten Vietnamese families living in Edinburgh. It was a tiny community.”

Ingredients

“You notice it in things like what you can buy. Back then you couldn’t get many exotic ingredients. Now I can get everything I need to cook authentic Vietnamese food, so in a strange way home has got closer over the years.

“But even from the start I always felt welcomed.

“The Scottish people are so warm. My husband’s family were incredibly supportive, I have made wonderful friends and I have great colleagues. I have never felt anything but a real sense of equality.”

Translation

As manager of the Interpretation and Translation Service (ITS) at the City Council, Van sees how diverse Scotland has become on a daily basis.

“We support the Council, the Scottish Refugee Council and the National Health Service by providing interpretation, translation and communication support. We co-ordinate a team of over 100 interpreters and translators, who speak more than thirty-seven different languages.

“All city councils in Scotland have a similar service and demand grows every year.”

Scottish accent

So, does Van feel Scottish now?

She bursts out laughing. “Sure, sometimes I do. But I can’t get a Scottish accent and I’m still learning what makes people laugh.

“Coming from a Vietnamese city, I’m used to the real hustle and bustle of city life. The first time I went to the Highlands I just didn’t appreciate it. It felt so deserted, so sad.

“Honestly, I thought it was terrible! Now that I’ve lived here for a while, I understand it and I love to go up to Skye and Mull and Wester Ross. I love the different charm it has up there.

“Of course I miss my family in Vietnam but I fly back regularly and they come and visit me. They love it here too.”