User Comments - go_manly
go_manly
Posted on: Pinyin Sections 5-6
July 23, 2009 at 9:43 PMorangina
Unlike other poddies, I find re a lot easier to say correctly than ri. With re, after saying the r, the tongue drops away from the palate as you open up your throat. The rest of the sound comes exclusively from the back of the throat. With ri, the tongue moves very little after making the r sound, but your mouth widens somewhat into a sort of cheesy grin. (The lips don't part further). Other than describing mouth positions, I can't describe the sound in writing.
Posted on: Job Interview
July 20, 2009 at 6:37 AMraygo,
You are talking from the perspective of someone who lives in China, and has become accustomed to listening at natural tempo.
Most of us are not in that situation, and still struggle to pick up the words we already know when spoken at that pace, let alone the new vocabulary.
As the dialog is spoken twice each lesson, once at the start and once at the end, is there a reason why one of those could not be spoken at natural speed, and the other spoken slow and steady? At the moment we simply have unnecessary reduplication (I'll wait for someone to pick me up on that word).
Posted on: Pinyin Section 4: R
July 16, 2009 at 1:09 PMmikeinewshot
Thanks for putting the thought in my head - I think I'll break from this for the night, and listen to a Dvorak symphony instead. I can't decide between Nos. 7 & 9 ...
Posted on: No TV Before Your Test!
July 11, 2009 at 6:10 AMbodawei,
It's probably 15 years since I watched an origin game, 10 years since I cared about the result. Apart from the 2 recent games, I really have no idea who has won in the last decade.
I've actually lost interest in watching most sport in recent times, but Manly's success over the last 2 years has rekindled my interest in League. Used to follow the Swans, Kings, Waratahs as well, but after years of watching the same plays over and again, it kind of loses its impact. Much better to get out on our great harbour and enjoy Sydney's sunshine (although that sunshine has been sadly lacking in recent months).
Posted on: How're You Doing? 得
July 11, 2009 at 3:23 AMCpod,
Its now 12 weeks since the lesson on bǎ (把). This was supposed to be the first lesson in a series. Just wondering when that series will continue?
Posted on: No TV Before Your Test!
July 10, 2009 at 3:00 PMchiongzibide
Actually, I don't care too much for Origin football. I think it is all hype, with no lasting relevance. I actually find it annoying how it will affect the player turnout for the Sea-Eagles / Dragons match. More important are the relative positions of Manly and Brisbane on the table!
billgloveruk
The dictionary is actually a by-product of my main project - condensing each of the Newbie and Elementary lessons (dialog, vocab, supp. vocab, expansion sentences, with embedded sounds) into a short PDF. Unfortunately, I can't make this available, as it would seriously breach CPod's copyright. I am relatively new to this internet technology, so I don't really know what a Blog is. If this link doesn't need express permission from me, you can certainly link to it. If it does need my permission, tell me how I give it.
By the way, how do you see this test match panning out?
Posted on: No TV Before Your Test!
July 10, 2009 at 6:37 AMpete,
I agree with the damage that TV has caused to society. But do you believe that intellectual progress has slowed in the last 50 years?
Posted on: No TV Before Your Test!
July 10, 2009 at 1:22 AMFinally, for those Elementary learners who do not visit the Newbie or Qingwen Lessons, here is a link to my dictionary.
It is a character-based dictionary of Newbie and Elementary vocabulary.
When you get there, click the blue 'Download Now' button. After you get redirected, wait for the countdown to finish, then "Click here to download this file".
Posted on: Pinyin Sections 3-4
July 9, 2009 at 1:17 PMchiongzibide
I have in fact noticed the exact opposite of what you describe. With English ts, the tongue doesn't drop, but glides between t and s positions. With Mandarin c the tongue drops sharply or barely, depending upon the following vowel. I have noticed that the tongue barely drops when saying 'ci'. Here it moves just enough to release the air behind it. However, when followed by a back vowel (a, e, o), there is a sharp drop so that the tongue can get into position for this vowel. The same drop happens when these vowels follow s or z.
Posted on: Are You Happy, Content, or Delighted?
July 30, 2009 at 9:18 PMts9007
If you are looking for light entertainment then, yes, the old Qingwens were better. If you are serious about studying Mandarin, the current crop of episodes are better by far.