User Comments - bodawei
bodawei
Posted on: On a Wok-About
December 6, 2013 at 12:27 PMIt seems this is a word that we exported. 'Walkabout' is the title of episodes of a couple of US TV series (Babylon 5 and Lost), and the UK series Robin Hood. In Lost the character John Locke wants to go to Australia 'on walkabout'.
Interesting word, invented by white Australians to describe an aspect of aboriginal culture perceived by whites; behaviour that was/is a 'culture clash'. I'm wondering if there are translations in aboriginal dialects. :)
Bringing it back to China, some of my students went 'walkabout' on family business, usually for a week; I think it reflects the extent of family obligations. It made me think of the Australian aborigine equivalent. In PNG I saw workers disappear for weeks at a time without explanation - white people there called it 'walkabout'.
Posted on: On a Wok-About
December 6, 2013 at 9:33 AMI thought it might be a reference to the Australian word walkabout .. It's used when someone disappears on a mission of some kind.
Posted on: So (adjective) that...
December 3, 2013 at 5:32 AM我女儿叫文纹，他的中文名字是文纹。。。哈哈
Posted on: Chinese Graded Readers and ACTFL
December 2, 2013 at 11:23 PM'Free internet'
I'm not sure of the technical side, I believe it works in 130 countries; they may use aother provider's network. It is 3G and just part of the payoff when you buy a kindle; no ongoing charges. Unlimited use. it would be nice if you could tether everything else you use to it. :)
(Sorry for belated reply; haven't been here much lately).
Posted on: The Colors of Money
November 23, 2013 at 7:45 AMHi RJ
'When I'm in China I feel rich with a stack of 100's, then I remember they are only worth $15.'
Now you have whetter [below] inspired by this comment of yours saying that 100 rmb notes are somehow 'not practical'.
You know the purchasing power of 100 rmb in China is more akin to US$100 in the US than US$15? You remember that they 'are only worth $15' only at that point in time when you know you are paying too much for something in China.
To illustrate this point, when I go to the markets for fruit and vegetables, I have to find small notes - no-one wants to be presented with a 100 rmb note. Purchasing power might be more like US$150 or US$200 at the wet market. The 100 rmb note is often impractical; it is too big.
Actually your 'I feel rich' comment rings a bell with me - I have never felt so rich as I have in China, where I can earn an average salary, save about a third, and still live well.
Posted on: Chinese Graded Readers and ACTFL
November 22, 2013 at 10:13 AMI read a Sherlock Holmes book recently, I'd forgotten how quirky Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was - in to the occult, and in this one he gave the Mormons 'special treatment'. PJ Wodehouse is another author I'd recommend: eg the Jeeves & Wooster stories. Simple amusing stories written with flair.
Posted on: Chinese Graded Readers and ACTFL
November 21, 2013 at 8:35 PMI'm referring to the way Kindle works when you're reading English text. (It's super convenient, no need to click anything or cut snd paste or leave the page. It come up in a window at the bottom of the page so if you don't need it there are no distractions.)
I haven't seen this in Chinese but it would be a great feature. So no, there is no dictionary in Chinese, just John's notes, which are clunky because they inhibit smooth reading. More so on the Kindle itself; the font is different to the one you get on Kindle Reader ap.
BTW, thanks for alerting me to Kindle App; until yesterday I had not used it. For some things it is better than the Kindle itself.
Actually the best thing about Kindle hands down is free Internet access for life. I was amazed that it worked seamlessly in China.
Posted on: Chinese Graded Readers and ACTFL
November 21, 2013 at 11:11 AMJohn, these readers are superb - somehow you've hit the right spot. I look forward to more titles.
At some stage I tried reading 'English' novels and I found them un-engaging; I preferred to try Chinese stories. I started with things like XiYouJi and that nearly killed my enthusiasm for reading anything at all. I tried a number that are just too difficult. I found 边城 just about perfect but I guess it's not everyone's cup of tea.
The Monkey's claw is just quirky enough to be interesting. (I also like Tin Tin in Chinese).
I haven't seen any comments from Kindle owners. Mine is Gen 3 and originally they were hopeless for reading in Chinese; every few lines there would be characters missing. The op system has been upgraded and seems the problems have been fixed. I didn't see any announcement from Amazon about it.
The beauty of the Kindle apart from being easier on the eyes than Nexus 7 (I use both) is the built-in dictionary that sits down the bottom unobtrusively - just cast your eyes to the bottom if you need it. Any chance that in the future this could be an option for your books? The existing notes are a distraction (worse on Kindle than on the Nexus 7) - the 'English text' model is something to check out.
Posted on: Foot Bath
November 15, 2013 at 6:45 AMThe Chinese foot massage places in the West may disappoint. I went to one in Sydney and my instructions for a bit more oomph were unrewarded. The masseuse's action had all the vigour of a wet lettuce. I took the bold step of asking the guy where he learnt foot massage. 'Sydney' came the answer. :(
'It's different in China' I said, and his eyes grew round with astonishment.
Posted on: On a Wok-About
December 8, 2013 at 11:52 PMI have never met a Junior Australian. it's not in our culture. in fact, I'm aware of some stigma in naming a child after its parent, don't know how prevalent that is (I notice Nelson Mandela named a child after a deceased sibling - I don't think that happens often in Australia). hey RJ, is 'Junior' sexist? Can you help me with any American women called Junior?