Xiang Sheng ( 相声)

GreyPhoenix

January 10, 2008, 05:28 PM posted in General Discussion

Hello everyone! I have been gone without much internet access for two weeks, and boy is it good to be back!

I have a question for whoever can help. I have been very interested in Xiang4 Sheng1 (相声, also known as cross-talk) for quite some time. From what I understand of it, it seems to be very funny, and uses a lot of language and culture puns for its humor. Due to that, I thought perhaps it would be a good way to study Chinese, or at least impress some of my Chinese friends. *grin*

My problem is this: I can't seem to find any of the solo xiang sheng dialogues written out online. Even a two person would be okay, but I would really like a solo dialogue. I have found audio recordings of them, but I really need a written version to practice from, as well as to learn the words I don't recognize. Perhaps they are all listed on Chinese websites, which would explain why I can't find them since my character recognition is limited. However, if I have a dialogue in Chinese characters, I can look up the ones I don't know.

Anyone have any good links or ideas? Thanks!

RJ

January 10, 2008, 06:26 PM

Recently Ma Sanli, one of the great cross talkers died. http://www.china.org.cn/english/2003/Mar/57171.htm there are some clues in here like his famous acts buying monkeys meting friend yellow crane tower you will have to search for those and where ever that leads you.

GreyPhoenix

January 10, 2008, 07:53 PM

Hi RJ - thanks! I read about that awhile back, and have tried searching for some of those. I'll try again and see what I can dig up. Thanks again!

RJ

January 10, 2008, 09:33 PM

Brooke, yea I saw this guy on tv when I was in China for the 2006 new year. When I saw he died I recognized his name. He was "very famous" in China. I also will look for his skits when I have some time. Maybe some of the Chinese can help you find. good luck.

RJ

January 11, 2008, 12:56 AM

actually the guy I was thinking of was http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/home/2007-06/23/content_900951.htm Ma died in 2003. I am surprised it is so hard to find any xiangSheng dialogue in Chinese. Baza - you are the expert search 00 agent. Care to give it a try?

helenaoutloud

January 11, 2008, 01:05 AM

Here is one video of Xiang Sheng that has the characters written on the bottom of the screen. It's not exactly written down, but it's a start. There's a bunch more Xiang Sheng on youtube. Hope that's some sort of help. ^_^

RJ

January 11, 2008, 01:07 AM

oops - ok I got it this time, it was http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-12/20/content_763742.htm I thought his name was Ma. There was more than one Ma eveidently that did xiangsheng. Anyway this article also gives the names of skits to search for.