There are over one billion people that rely on Mandarin Chinese as their primary language. In terms of native speakers Spanish comes in second and English third. I myself use my limited Mandarin skills on a weekly basis. Just Yesterday I relied on my Mandarin to get my feelings known to a Chinese server:
Me: “Char Siu Bao, Mapo Tofu, Ha Gao, Moo Goo Gai Pan, Kung Pao, Flied Lice, Sui Mai, General Tso’s chicken.”
Waiter: “Oi vey.”
Like most languages foreign words are often incorporated to enhance communication.
This teachable moment brought to you by the Dim Sum School of Languages.