It's not all Chinese to me.

Explaining “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” to a Confucius Institute visiting professor gave pause at our Christmas caroling party.  She was only in the US a few days, but you could see her trying to understand:

Me:  “He’s a flying reindeer.”  Shell:  “Really?”

Me: “He has a nose that glows red.”  Shell:  quizzical look

Me: “He helps Santa Claus…”  Shell:  more silence

Me:  “Let’s just sing carols and have some fun.” Shell: nodding "yes."

We discovered our new friend, Shell, had a terrific voice.  She shared a few songs from China.  We had a memorable caroling party.  

 

Moving forward in time, we attended a concert of Folk Songs of the World to hear Shell, Xianghua Han, soloing with music professors.  She’s a talent at that level.

Shell returned the favor at the concert.  We didn’t understand the words in her music.  During the explanation we felt like aliens trying to grok flying reindeer.  But she is a singer that sparkles and we had no difficulty receiving emotional meanings.  

She received our meaning and we received hers.  As Bernstein said, “….music is one of basic and deepest levels of communication.” It's not all Chinese to anybody.