Ni Hao
prio
May 16, 2008, 07:31 AM posted in General DiscussionHi guys, Since we are all doing The Jealous Friend dialogue for our group project maybe we can have a chat about what the dialogue means. Can I also confirm that we are meeting in xingqi liu jiu dian zai tu shu guan ma? There also seems to be an inconsistency in the meaning of the word zhòngnánqīngnǚ in the dialogue. Chinese pod claims it means lovers are superior to friends, while a poster pon chinese pap claims it means men are superior to women. Thoughts? See you tomorrow!
prio
May 16, 2008, 01:30 PM重男轻女- Thats the word I was wondering about previously.
Otherwise the dialogue has some interesting issues in it. Firstly and superficially there is the problems that arise out of a couple and a single friend entering a social situation. They offend their single friend by turning up late and saying that 张亮要加班. But Zhang Lian doesn't personally apologise for this, instead his 女朋友, 丽丽 must do this for him...! I also cringed at the idea of the two women 做伴 as the man goes off to work. Secondly I wonder what the work situation is for all three. As a 学生 myself, I doubt I would even consider ordering 龙虾... Overall I think this dialogue is about a universal situation arising out of close relationships...
kkom
May 16, 2008, 10:23 PMHi!I'm so sorry that i'm late to join this.. There was somthing wrong with my computer. Anyway I'm definitely coming to the meeting at tu shu guan. I will go through it again to see about your concern. See you soon!
mauy
May 23, 2008, 09:02 AMHi Guys, Sorry to join so late, however, I hope I can add some information and clarify any issues raised. In relation to the word "重男轻女" - It's difficult to transliterate. I think it would be better to regard that phrase within the context of what Chen Jing is saying. It basically translates to: 'You are taking priority with your relationship to your boyfriend over your relationship with your friends" - Basically the boyfriend/girlfriend becomes the main focus and friends are sidelined, as is the case. I've read that it's an idiom of sorts.
mauy
May 23, 2008, 09:03 AMHi Guys, Sorry to join so late, however, I hope I can add some information and clarify any issues raised. In relation to the word "重男轻女" - It's difficult to transliterate. I think it would be better to regard that phrase within the context of what Chen Jing is saying. It basically translates to: 'You are taking priority with your relationship to your boyfriend over your relationship with your friends" - Basically the boyfriend/girlfriend becomes the main focus and friends are sidelined, as is the case. I've read that it's an idiom of sorts.
mauy
May 23, 2008, 09:16 AMSorry, accidentally posted that twice! Btw, Primrose, are you a Wong Kar Wai fan? And specifically,a 2046 fan? Jus wondering, cos me and my gf LOVE all of Wong Kar Wai's films. Tho we still reckon In the Mood for Love is the best. Anyway, I just wanted to discuss the characters, because this scene, as you have indicated Primrose raises interesting dramatic issues. When I saw the title I thought it would play out a little different, but anyway, I think that after we've all read the dialogue, it's obvious that Chen Jing's character is the stereotypical 'bitch' who isn't jealous because Chen Li has a boyfriend, but more that she isn't getting any attention. Yes, I know, Chen Jing and Chen Li are actually girls (and we have only one girl in our group), but we can still play it that way. Although I reckon it adds a different dynamic considering Keigo is playing Chen Jing.
Anyway, Chen Jing and Chen Li have a sort of bitching quarrel going on, especially within the last few lines: "你今天怎么了？火气这么大？" I think the last few lines can be played out better if they're done whispering angrily to each other. Chen Jing is attacking Zhang Liang indirectly, by criticizing Li Li.
Actually I find Chen Jing's character the most interesting, think Zhang Ziyi's character Bai Ling in 2046. There's a lot of sarcasm and veiled cloak and dagger attacks, especially: "你还好意思说...有了张亮就忘了我" - the feel is sort of like: "Oh, do you still remember that we were in kindergarten together? I thought you would have forgotten, BECAUSE YOU'RE TOO BUSY FOR ME!"
There's a lot of resentment in her character, and I think the entire scene is driven by the tension she creates. Every line she has, even those responding to compliments are biting and filled with coldness.
The patience of Lili slowly runs out and I think the tension between the two is what makes the scene special/ or Telenovela like...
Perhaps we should play that up, by keeping Chen Jing's demeanor cool and biting, whilst Lili slowly loses her patience with her. Lili does really try to diffuse the situation at the beginning but it just doesn't work.
Finally, I think Chen Jing's last line is a fitting coda and adds a little comedic flair, when she/he states: "It's nothing, I'll feel better after some lobster" It should be done coldly, in contrast to Lili's frustration.
mauy
May 23, 2008, 09:24 AMAside from Chen Jing upping the ante (especially when she orders lobster); I think that there's some tension with Zhang Liang's character. After the trials their relationship has been through in the other dialogues, I think that he really is trying his best to exude patience and diligence. There's no doubt that this episode has a negative effect on their relationship...it hasn't been smooth sailing for those two. I see his character more like Tony Leung's it's very patient and calm and cool, almost charming, especially when he replies to Chen Jing's biting comment that: Lili always complains. He says: 是啊，没办法。多亏丽丽有你这个好朋友.. - oh really? Oh well, nothing can be done about that, but lucky she has such a good friend like you - While some may read it as patronizing, I think he's doing his best to diffuse the situation by complimenting Chen Jing and making her feel important. What do you guys think?
I think it's important that we speak our lines with the true emotion and meaning behind them, and not take them at face value, such as Lili's line: "Aren't you on a diet?" actually means: "Do not order lobster, I am warning you."
I dunno if it's me, but don't you find that a very Chinese Cultural thing? - Not directly addressing things. Perhaps that's why I like Chen Jing's character best...she says it as it is, like: 丽丽你现在怎么这么像家庭主妇啊 - "God Lili, you're such a housewife these days..."
So I think Chen Jing's character should be very bitchy, Lili should be patient and sweet and slowly simmer, whilst Zhang Liang's character should be like water to douse the flames.
Agree/disagree?
On a side note I actually think Zhang Liang really does want to be with Chen Li, I don't think many guys would put up with so much drama and crap and stay. So I really think his character exudes patience.
Anyway, good luck guys. Ask if there's anymore translation problems.
prio
May 16, 2008, 07:33 AMHi guys, since we are all doing "The Jealous Friend" dialogue for our group project maybe we can have a chat about what the dialogue means. Can I also confirm that we are meeting in xingqi liu jiu dian zai tu shu guan ma? There also seems to be an inconsistency in the meaning of the word zhòngnánqīngnǚ in the dialogue. Chinese pod claims it means lovers are superior to friends, while a poster on chinese pop claims it means men are superior to women. Thoughts? See you tomorrow!