User Comments - Tal

Posted on: Whatever...

In my view, the expansion sentences and the supplementary vocab are fine just as they are. Just as the name suggests, expansion sentences 'expand' upon the usage of lesson vocab, and supplementary vocab is... well, supplementary, (lol). Obviously it's the prerogative of any user to look at it or not, but I think it's of value. It seems that you're just now discovering that 'some of the words would be useful to know', and that's because your ability in Chinese is developing and growing, and that's the point to go out looking for ways to learn these words on your own, or noticing if they're used during the podcast, or if they've appeared in any other (possibly related) lessons. Chinesepod is not the whole world of Chinese learning, and a good thing too!

I think I'd like to put on record (and I may as well do it here) that I have zero criticism, (nothing but praise and gratitude in fact), for lesson content and the CPod teaching style. I have always felt that way, and I'm sure I always will. Unfortunately it's web design and software implementation where this place falls down badly.

Posted on: Boston

Of course not, be my guest. (But I sure hope CPod are intending to 'unvanish' all these deactivated links. Jeez, this website is becoming a real mess.)

Posted on: Yellow Mountain

It could I guess. Perhaps it comes back to the flexibility of Chinese? It's quite a context based language. Look at the wood, not the trees.

Posted on: Buying Sandals

Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.

Posted on: Yellow Mountain

The invisible part! i.e. the context!

Also, absence of present tense markers such as '在陪着' in the first one and '正在……集合' in the second.

Posted on: Buying Sandals

Great, kid. Don't get cocky!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPsDDr0n9AE

Posted on: Buying Sandals

Nice one! I feel an almost uncontrollable urge to knock out a Photoshop job of John as Darth Vader and Ken as Obi-Wan. "Your powers are weak, old man. You should not have come back."

Seriously though I have been noticing annoying extraneous noise (and intermittent poor sound quality) on expansion sentences for ages. There was a time when I'd have complained about it, but these days what's the point?

Posted on: Insecticide

Maybe that's good too! I do like a good recorded book now and then though. If Robert does any I'd be a willing purchaser!

Posted on: Insecticide

Ha, sorry zhen, I only just noticed your reply to this! *blushes*

Whoah, that Urban Dictionary is really something isn't it! The bit about space/no space at the urinals tempts me to tell another of Tal's Tales of Trauma, but sadly this is not the time or the place! I'll look out for one though.

Ah, my Kindle! I love it! In my dotage I'm practicing the Buddhist surrender of 'attachment' to things. Except my Kindle! Thanks for the recommendations.

Posted on: Buying Sandals

I offer an additional expansion sentence:

为了让美女喜欢你，一定要穿袜子和凉鞋！

Wèile ràng měinǚ xǐhuan nǐ, yīdìng yào chuān wàzi hé liángxié!

(To get pretty women to like you, you really should wear socks and sandals together!)