A question of self

bababardwan
 June 18, 2011 at 10:33 AM posted in General Discussion

Just looking up the etymology of 自 and yellowbridge reckons this is meant to represent the nose and adds:

"Chinese people still point to their noses when referring to themselves"

..this seems to ring some old bells for me but I can't recall ever seeing in any recent time. How common is this to still see? Should we waiguoren adopt it? ...would that be strange?

Profile picture
orangina
 June 18, 2011 at 10:45 AM

I see it. I don't think it would be strange for a waiguoren because from Chinese people's point of view it is a perfectly natural thing to do. Maybe it would seem strange to a Chinese person who spends a lot of time with waiguoren, and knows it is not a perfectly natural thing for a waiguoren to do. 

Profile picture
bababardwan
 June 18, 2011 at 01:37 PM

"I can recall a time it was used in a "who, me?" context"

..ah yes, I think I've seen that.

Is this more of a girly thing? Would it be a bit 娘娘腔 of a guy?

Profile picture
bababardwan
 June 18, 2011 at 01:34 PM

"I will leave animation to the viewer's imagination. This is the interactive nature of art. ;-)"

hehe , said like a true artiste. Very good. Talking of artists reminds me of an amusing scene I saw recently in a movie called dinner for schmucks. Have you seen it?

thanks for your further info on this. I can't wait to hear your research findings. I can tell you'll pay attention to detail including accurate timing. I'd appreciate a psychological profile on those who crack that threshold.

Profile picture
orangina
 June 18, 2011 at 01:24 PM

hehe... I will conduct a study of nose pointing and report my findings. I can recall a time it was used in a "who, me?" context. I don't believe there was actual finger to nose contact. And it was sustained, I'm gonna say, less than 2 seconds. I definitely believe there is a self-involvement threshold.

As for the giff, I will leave animation to the viewer's imagination. This is the interactive nature of art. ;-)

Profile picture
bababardwan
 June 18, 2011 at 11:10 AM

thanks orangina. I don't think I've said this before but I've always loved your avatar. I wish it would now come to life and demonstrate the action for me, perhaps like a gif animation on a continuous repeat loop. Is it index finger to nose tip? [or can other fingers and nose parts get involved?] how long is there contact? [can you leave it there while on the subject of self...keep your audience focused and all that] or is it more like a fleeting swipe? Is orientation important? angle of approach? How often would this occur in a conversation?...is there a threshold beyond which you'd start to think they're a little self involved, or like the Jimmy? [as in when someone refers to themselves in the 3rd person all the time]