User Comments - bill

Posted on: Always in Chinese: 总是 (zǒngshì) and 老是 (lǎoshi)

我总是欣赏changye的词句 (-:

多谢changye,

Bill

Posted on: Always in Chinese: 总是 (zǒngshì) and 老是 (lǎoshi)

在这里是星期天晚上，下雨，我在听法国音乐(Axel Red) ... 我刚才看Connie的词句和以后我总是笑 (-:

Bill

Posted on: The Person Component

Well, after reading all of the comments I didn't know what to expect from this video.

I think one should eliminate John's "side kicks" and discuss 汉字。

人 is a good starting point. It's worth about 30 seconds of discussion. It would be nice to compare "artistically" drawn characters vrs hand written too.

I've always viewed 汉字 as art. I enjoy writing them, and recognized immediately the components, and still do find radicals quite useful.

In fact I would argue that first trying to figure out what the radical is; next counting the additional strokes; and finally looking them up in a dictionary is an excellent way to learn 汉字.

Writing them by hand also embeds them in one's memory. I view that as a necessary and well tested part of the process even in the age of computers. I would recommend getting a brush, ink block, and plenty of paper and painting 汉字. It's a joy to do so !

So, I rate this attempt as 5 on a scale of 10. It's a good start. Less clowning around and more content is required.

Bill

Posted on: The Good Husband

这个老婆真地"over the top." But, the dramatic effect is clearly there ...chinkerfly is right on here except that I would say almost all men should stay as far away ... Their relationship seems S&M to me.

Bill

Posted on: Borrowing Money

Hi Pete,

So, you are the guilty party (-: (-:

I've actually stopped using the translations because for me at least they do not help me understand the chinese language, and are in fact, somewhat of a distraction.

For the expansion exercise I shrink my browser window to cover the English and pinyin, and then read the 汉字 while listening several times. This by the way really helps me with Chinese subtitles in the films and TV shows I watch !

I DO find the translations useful for giving me the emotional feeling behind the Chinese since this exercise is not acted like the lesson is.

Kindest regards,

Bill

Posted on: Using 除了。。。以外 (Chúle... Yǐwài)

I can effortlessy switch between English and French without thinking about it and my native language is English. I'm quite sure this is because I learned French in French and so I never do mental translations. I'm far from this in Mandarin but just a little patience is required ...

This brings me to the transcripts of 请问。I personally prefer *not* to have them at first, and if they are there I ignore them. This makes one an attentive listener and if something is missed just let it fly by just like conversations where there is never a rewind. I always listen to each lesson a couple of times before looking and listening at the same time.

I do the same thing with the videos. It really sharpens one's ear.

Bill

Posted on: The Perfect Sandwich

最好的三明治在哪里？当然在巴黎！

One begins with the bread. Only in France can one find a perfect baguette. The crust is crisp but not hard. The inside is soft but not gooey. Baguettes are ideal for sandwiches.

里面：I like sliced French country ham, a touch of butter, mustard and mayonaise, lettuce, tomatoes, and ground pepper. 很好吃！

In Paris you can purchase baguette sandwiches at small Patisseries/Boulangeries everywhere. The bread is baked daily.

Bill

Posted on: Let's Go to Beijing

tvan and changye,

Great information !

多谢，

Bill

Posted on: Let's Go to Beijing

Hi changye,

Regarding 南京 isn't it true that during some historical periods it was the capital city of China rather than 北京？

Otherwise, a well produced, instructive and fun video. Connie always speaks clearly, without hesitation and with a special charm that I think appeals to all CPod course levels.

Bill

Posted on: The Surname Code

Hi billm,

I concluded the person was not admitted because of the incorrect order just as you suggest.

I've only read the lesson, and so maybe there is a different explanation therein.

Also, for all of you who celebrate this holiday, 感恩节快乐！

Bill