User Comments - pearltowerpete
pearltowerpete
Posted on: What Would You Say You Do Here?
July 27, 2009 at 1:47 AMHi mickeytoon and cassielin,
Nciku defines the term as 媒体，宣传或竞选舆论顾问-- I think this is a bit more precise than 政治顾问， which could include things like policy aides and advisors, who often function (in America, at least) as powerful, unelected legislators.
Spin Doctors are focused not on policy but politics. Their main task is improving (and often, repairing) their client's image. You might think that in Western democracies, known for their civilized discussion and careful consideration of weighty matters, the spin doctor's role would be insignificant. But you'd be wrong.
Posted on: Measure Word Fundamentals: 个，只，条，张
July 24, 2009 at 11:45 PMHi bababardwan,
Thank you for the quick post. The dynamic poddie community is something special.
Hi rjberki
I was surprised to learn that as well.
Hi cpotter,
That's what we love to hear.
Hi hudie,
Yes, using the correct measure word sounds better and more polished.
Hi light,
Interesting technique you have. Sometimes, when the noun is omitted, you just end up saying， for example, 这位-- this "unit of person"! But whatever works.
Posted on: What Would You Say You Do Here?
July 24, 2009 at 12:05 AMHi agentchuck and jckeith
Glad you caught that. Now the main question is how to say "a case of the Mondays" in Mandarin ;-)
Posted on: Harry Potter
July 20, 2009 at 9:58 AMHi bababardwan,
Actually, this phrase was not translated properly.
A:“你也别太悲伤嘛！”
This actually roughly means "Don't be too heart-broken!"
The 也 and 嘛 just soften the tone a bit, making it a kind of gentle ribbing instead of a firm command. Here, 也 has no implication of "also."
As soon as the system permits it, we will fix this error. I'm sorry for the confusion.
I haven't seen the movies or read the books, but they sure are popular. JK Rowlings' ex husband must feel like one of the pre-Ringo drummers for the Beatles. If only he'd hung on a bit longer...
Posted on: Caught in the Act
July 20, 2009 at 9:37 AMHi desluo919
It's my pleasure. Please keep asking any questions that come to mind.
Posted on: Caught in the Act
July 20, 2009 at 8:44 AMHi desluo919
There is nothing special about that particular sentence. 刚/刚刚 contain the implication of "just now," so you can add or subtract the 了 without affecting the meaning. It could've been included in the first two sentences and they would still be correct.
Posted on: Caught in the Act
July 20, 2009 at 8:23 AMHi desluo919
As always, Changye's explanation is accurate and helpful.
I often hear Chinese speakers of English say things like "What are you talking?" and "Who are you talking?"
This is exactly because Chinese does not require words like "about" or "to" in sentences like 你在说谁?
Posted on: Checking Baggage
July 20, 2009 at 3:27 AMHi desluo919,
Good question. Here, 挺 means "really, very." The word can also mean "to hold strong, to extend." An older meaning is "big and protruding."
This led to a famous play on words in an old bra commercial: 做女人挺好 -- "It's great to be a woman/For women, it's good to be big (and protruding)."
Posted on: Pinyin Sections 3-4
July 20, 2009 at 2:09 AMHi chris and waitingroom
I'm not a linguist, and John is on vacation in sunny Florida. But I agree that in the Shanghai/Jiangnan area, "sh" doesn't completely become "s." I lack the technical vocabulary to describe the sound, but I always think of it as a kind of "slushy" version of the original sound.
Interestingly, Taiwanese and Fujianese often do the opposite, turning "s" sounds into "sh." One easy example is 随便 "shuibian."
Now most of the pinyin input systems allow you to choose a Southern Chinese setting-- when you type "s" instead of "sh" for example, the computer automatically gives you the correct pronunciation. I believe MS Pinyin was the first to offer this fun and quirky function.
Posted on: What Would You Say You Do Here?
July 27, 2009 at 1:58 AMWelcome back, miantiao. The boards weren't the same without your crisp commentary.