User Comments - pearltowerpete

pearltowerpete

Posted on: Taking it all off

February 25, 2009 at 1:58 AM

Hi ewong and reigau

Although I'm not a lady, I have known a lot of them. So, I can tell you that for make-up, you use 涂 tú for putting it on, and 擦 cā for wiping it off.

Posted on: Dreams of the Departed 陇西行

February 25, 2009 at 1:37 AM

Hi all,

My hope was to "prime the pump" for a wide-ranging discussion of poetry. It seems we're succeeding. Thank you.

Hi qingdaossadventuresdotcom

The phrase is 胡说八道, which means "to talk nonsense." I initially thought that the 道 meant "to speak," but it seems instead to be related to the 八正道 the "Eightfold Path" in Buddhism. These are the eight steps that people must follow to reach nirvana. So, to 胡说 about the 八道 is to talk nonsense.

And I agree, this poem is relevant in our world at war.

Hi tommaz and bill

Thanks for your insights on poetic devices.I was not familiar with Blyth's work but it seems worth exploring.

Hi rjberki and urbandweller

Credit for the sound editing and background effects goes to the sound team: David, Joy and Lisa. They do excellent work.

Thanks again, all, for your support. I hope the show is as half as fun and informative for you as it is for me.

Posted on: Dreams of the Departed 陇西行

February 24, 2009 at 1:23 PM

Hi siteng and thinkbuddha

Thanks for clarifying the "roots" of this hairy word. (Oh, come on, it's my show and I'll be as corny as I like!)

Hi bodawei

Thank you for your kind words. You have an interesting theory, but the poem is listed in anthologies in this order.

Hi soarming,

Welcome! We'll look forward to your contributions on the message board.

Posted on: Dreams of the Departed 陇西行

February 24, 2009 at 10:59 AM

Hi all,

Thanks for playing, and congratulations, chiongzibide. Special hat tip to zhenlijiang for her arduous lexical journey, and to changye for explaining the subtlties of the Chinese terms.

I first encountered this device in Latin poetry, and it's interesting to see that it's used in other languages, too.

Posted on: Dreams of the Departed 陇西行

February 24, 2009 at 6:48 AM

Hi Tom

Your wish will soon be granted. When we complete our overhaul of the lesson publishing system, not only this series but also Qing Wen will have nice, tidy PDFs. Hang in there a bit longer.

Hi cassie

不就很感动吗？如今，消息传播的比以前快得多，可能过世士兵的家属立刻就可以知道这个坏消息，不会仍然梦到他。不过，还是有很多人要过很久才知道家人是否还在。真可怜...

Hi changye叔叔

Ｉ can't believe I've stumped you! Keep looking -- either the English or Chinese term is OK ;-)

Posted on: Dreams of the Departed 陇西行

February 24, 2009 at 5:05 AM

Hi linda33 and vagabondpilgrim

Thanks for your enthusiasm.

Hi all:

Poetry Quiz:

Does anyone know the name for the poetic device where something is represented by a word of phrase with which it is frequently associated? For example, “The White House" for "The American President."

Here we have 貂锦 representing the soldiers...