User Comments - auntie68

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auntie68

Posted on: Ping Pong Nation
April 18, 2008 at 5:21 AM

Yes. I am a Singaporean living in... Singapore.

Posted on: SBTG: Special Economic Zones
April 18, 2008 at 2:23 AM

Hm. I think that 设立 maybe had more of the sense of the English word "to implement", whereas I would translate 成立 as "to established/ was established". Btw, thank you for teaching me 树立; I sense a very positive, "sturdy tree trunk" connotation, bet this construction always has a positive connotation.

Posted on: SBTG: Special Economic Zones
April 18, 2008 at 2:19 AM

As always, changye, thank you for your really useful tips. At a "gut" level, I think that 成立 may be used for things, the establishment of which may be thought of as being more "natural" or "inevitable" or otherwise of enduring significance. Whereas 设计 may be less weighty. Eg. like a particular government policy, which may be subject to change. Again, thanks.

Posted on: Ping Pong Nation
April 18, 2008 at 2:09 AM

Here's some food for thought: The core members of Singapore's national table tennis team are all former PRC citizens: Wang Yuegu, Li Jiawei, and Feng Tianwei. The ink on their naturalization papers is barely dry (it's a fast-track "medals for citizenship" process), but these ladies are our only hopes for NOT embarassing ourselves utterly in international sports. So I always cheer for them, despite the shame of having to "import" sporting stars. I think that other countries -- Eg. Germany -- also depend on the PRC-born members on their teams? Singapore sucks so badly in every sport except for sailing, fencing, shooting, and -- sometimes -- swimming!

Posted on: SBTG: Special Economic Zones
April 18, 2008 at 12:09 AM

One language point that I was happy to learn from this lesson was that you 提出 a 概念. You guys pack so much useful information into your lessons!

Posted on: SBTG: Special Economic Zones
April 18, 2008 at 12:07 AM

I loved the classroom comedy in this lesson! Hilarious. Just checking my understanding of what I think I heard: 设立 vs 建立 vs 建设 Let me see, 设立 is "to establish [something that is reasonably concrete]". Is the meaning quite close to 成立？ 建立 is slightly broader than 设立 (or 成立？) because in it can connote the establishment of something which is abstract, non-tangible. Examples from my little dictionary: 建立 only (*too abstract for 成立 or 设立）： 两国建立了外交关系。 建立了深厚的友谊。 经理刚来不久就建立了威信。 And the 建设 is literally, to build something up, there is a very physical, concrete sense to this. Hope this is more or less on-track! Thanks for a great lesson.

Posted on: Country Standings
April 17, 2008 at 2:10 PM

Fortunately, out-of-shape, squishy-around-the-middle Aunties can break a fall from any height better than any judo mat. But I won't complain. The little boy still hasn't broken his solemn promise to me NOT to tell his parents how exactly he got bitten by the neighbour's pet turtle (= Auntie negligence) when he was 1 year old.

Posted on: Country Standings
April 17, 2008 at 2:05 PM

Uncle changye, this Auntie practised "defensive falling" this very afternoon when a Stunt Toddler suddenly, impulsively jumped from a... erm... "place of higher altitude", into her arms (which weren't waiting for him... oops). Conclusion: I'm really bad at that!

Posted on: Country Standings
April 17, 2008 at 12:08 PM

"Defensive falling" -- I am laughing so hard that I can hardly type!

Posted on: What is a Chengyu?
April 17, 2008 at 5:30 AM

Hello. I love 成语! I didn't love them in school, when we had to memorize hundreds of them for "exam purposes". Here I think I agree with both John and henning: Studying 成语 systematically so that you can produce an appropriate 成语 in a given situation may not be very efficient. Appropriate usage boils down to culture and use; a lot of it. On the other hand, recognizing and understanding and appreciating a 成语 being used appropriately by a native speaker -- or in a piece of good writing -- gives a sense of satisfaction and happiness. Personally -- and this is only me --, I don't study 成语 systematically for future use, but I feel rewarded when I come across a good one in use, and make the effort to understand it well (which often includes the little story of its genesis).