User Comments - shilena

Posted on: Sign Here, Please

I am so happy to have a Chinese name now thanks to my adventures here at Chinese Pod! Thanks lujiaojie!  I am constantly practicing writing so maybe if I am ever asked to sign anything I can do so with confidence.  Well at least competance...

卜晓莲

(bǔ xiǎo lián)

Posted on: The Final Show

It saddens me greatly to see you go.  Your insights into the culture of China made the language come to life.  I love to learn about languages and culture and you always made it fun and interesting to do so.  The position you held at Chinese pod is one I wish could hold myself one day (or any other Praxis language pod for that matter).  At the moment I still only have enough knowledge for English Pod, Ha!  But your interesting shows have kept my love for linguistics and culture alive. 

For someone as talented as you with your bright personality you will do well no matter where you go. I hope you continue to enjoy life to the fullest no matter where you go.  Maintain your try everything outlook and love living.  May you do well in all future adventures.  You will be missed.

C-Pod, I hope you find someone wonderful to try to fill this void left by Amber's departure...

Posted on: Chinese Characters and the History of Sex in China

What a collection of topics!  The comments are really great (as always) and very informative.

I have started learning Mandarin just for my own personal growth with the intention of many languages to follow (Japanese being one of them).  I still can say a lot more than I can write, but most of the resourses I have found for learning to write is only given in simplified.  Being in the Jax Florida area gives me plenty of access to Spanish or Tagalog, but not exactly abounding Mandarin at this point. And as I am the only one I know around me learning it (until I can afford get into a class at the local colleges) I am on my own, so it is great to have such knowledgable people posting information about the history of the language.  One of my goals is to teach (preferably both English as a second language and Linguistics) it is always good to learn the history of the language as well (not to mention facinating).

As far as the second half of the discussion, I was not aware that China had been so liberal in the past.  I think my husband is following some of those Taoist practices lol.  (guess that is a good thing for me.)  It is nice to know that homosexuality is more accepted than I thought it was.  A don't ask don't tell policy is better than social shunning or physical harm.  I think all cultures go through that sort of cycle of acceptance of it, ignoring it, and condemnation of it.

Posted on: More Chinese lessons, and now EnglishPod!

It is interesting to see English Pod come along.  I will be directing some of the people I know here to it if they wish to improve their grasp of the English language.

I am so close to Orlando here in Jacksonville that I wish I could make my way to see you at the conference.  However, as I am not a language teacher yet (though that is my goal), I do not think I would fit in.  It would be nice to talk to people who are though and listen to their advice and experiances.  Maybe I to can work for Praxis one day! I think I may have a new goal... hmmm...

Please continue what you are doing as you do it so very well.  I look forward to many other languages, such as Japanese.  I am up for learning anything you can teach.  Just keep it comming.

Posted on: Choosing a Chinese Name and Safety

to lujiaojie:

Thank you so very much!  I can see why you need help finding a name! 

I have only just begun learning Mandarin, but I think I am in love with it.  One of my goals being to become a teacher (specifically a linguistics teacher and teacher of English as a second language) I have wanted to find a name to use as I continue to study this amazing language and culture.

Thank you again.

Xiao3 lian2

Posted on: Choosing a Chinese Name and Safety

As far as names go I really don't know what would be best for me to go with.  The best transliteration that I have found is shi4lou2 (to reveal logic if I translated correctly) But the meaning for my name is peaceful, so I thought about tai4ping2.  What do you think is better to go with?  Also, since I am married would my maiden name or married name be used? (both are long)  Would I only use the first character of it for the name? bu {maiden} or fu {married}.