User Comments - Lantian
Lantian
Posted on: Traveling and Chopsticks
September 24, 2007 at 4:31 AMSo I was wondering, you know how all the CNN reporters sound the same, "reporting to you from Katmandu..." Are there specific exercises that NSs use to prepare for the 普通话测试? John, can you ask your prof? Are there somewhat accessible NS (simple for NNS) websites for this? That I think would be a really useful set of info, rather than the unending resurfacing of learning "the Beijing accent versus a southern accent, etc." debate that always comes up.
Posted on: Godzilla in Shanghai
September 24, 2007 at 4:11 AM在这里下雨，我要出去。。
Posted on: #17
September 23, 2007 at 5:55 AMAZERDocMom , asked: Lantian How come you wouldn't let Amber or Dave describe you, or join them, while you watched them record MM #17? Mostly because it drives Amber crazy. That and I'm famous and it would cause havoc. It's for everyone's protection. I'm also part of SAG and I can't work without base pay and residuals which Amber didn't offer, and certainly the pirated dvd she gave me is unacceptable! ;p
Posted on: Arrival in Jizhou
September 23, 2007 at 4:16 AMHi ChrisM, Also, try clicking on the second icon in the google pinyin tool if that is what you are using. The cresent moon icon versus the O icon changes the font. The keyboard-combo that sets it off, something like shift-space when typing quickly. (thanks tianfeng, was wondering how I kept activating it)
Posted on: Arrival in Jizhou
September 23, 2007 at 4:12 AMHi Nic, Your comment, "I think comments should be interesting for the vast majority, not for a happy few." FREE TO BE - I realize you were saying that tongue in cheek, but others probably don't. What you were saying is: Majority rights superceed minority rights? Mass media watered-down lowest common denominator t.v. over individualized content is better? Chinese only in triplicate? Talk only in English. Ohhhh please. The Can't-Deal-With-Hanzi have even come to upper-intermediate! 天啊，你肯定开玩笑？（这个句子你还让我打出来拼音吗？） Hi Wildyaks, et al: There was a recent quote from Lee Kuan Yew, the former prime minister of Singapore. Although it is about the use of energy, I think the idea applies to living in general and modern abilities. He said, "If you ask me, I think you can ameliorate this problem. But you cannot solve it. Because our dependency on energy will only grow - can only grow. I do not see any tribal leader, any democratic leader, any dictator telling his people, "We are going to forgo growth. We are going to consume less. Travel less. Live a more spartan life and we'll save the earth." Last thing, there's an old story I recall as reading thru this thread. "One day some researchers encountered a new tribe. This tribe had some very quaint rituals. They would religiously take a wire-like brush and swipe it across their teeth. This was usually done in private, and in various ways. The substance they applied to this brush was an odd pasty mixture that seemed to tingle the mouth and cause foaming. Researchers were told it was done to get rid of invisible 'bugs' and prolong life."
Posted on: 相亲活动
September 14, 2007 at 8:23 AMConnie 你好， 收到你的回答我很开心！ 呵呵，你肯定是好女儿，猜不到我的笑话。她的意思是你是不是有钱的男的，能买多大的房子。 但是为什么这洋子问问？ 如果你只问问你家有几间房子，谁知道是大还是很小小的房子。如果你回答“哦，我客厅有五个大窗口，也能看倒海”。。。哈哈, 她就还有问题想跟你聊聊。 :)
Posted on: Personal Questions and Bargaining
September 14, 2007 at 7:41 AMDear Amber, Just to back-translate and to help with my studies. How old are you? Are you single? Do you have any children? How much do you make? Do you rent or did you buy your apartment? How long will you stay in China? ....what's your mobile number and do you have time for dinner? Amber，你多大。结婚了没有？你租房子还是买的？你做什么工作？薪水多少？听说加拿大人很厉害。你什么时候回加拿大？你打算在中国多久？留给我你的手机号码，有空吃饭吗？我请客你买单！好不好？ Advanced - 相亲活动 Matchmaking at the Park Newbie - Asking for a Phone Number Intermediate - The Other Woman So everyone, do you think she'll answer? Dear Amber..... , or what lesson do you think I should review?
Posted on: Personal Questions and Bargaining
September 14, 2007 at 7:15 AMA RUDE AWAKENING - Honesty? No way!! Nobody in Chinese actually answers clearly! How much do you make? 不过用。 How old are you? 比你年轻。 How much is your rent? 还行，不高不地。 At this point they become either really frustrated or ask you to go eat. LOL
Posted on: 相亲活动
September 14, 2007 at 6:12 AMMan2脚趾， 你的意思是我要多一次上大学吗？ 如果我再上学，那我没有时间做工作，没有工作的话，没有钱，没有钱的话，在中国没有人要我！这是就是中国女儿的心里。 哈哈 大家，我说的对吗？ 我还有一位朋友，她不问你有没有家，她就问你的家有几个窗口。明白她的意思吗。 哈哈
Posted on: Traveling and Chopsticks
September 24, 2007 at 10:45 AMHi John, What's the Homer Simpson Chinese version of "dohh". The bookstore, I had forgotten about them! haha, will go looking with "普通话测试" in hand.