User Comments - bryan
bryan
Posted on: Singapore
January 11, 2008 at 7:48 PMauntie68, thanks. Yes, everything you wrote makes sense to me.
Posted on: Singapore
January 10, 2008 at 7:46 PMCan somebody explain the use of 因为 in the following snippet from the dialogue? 虽然小，但因为是多民族社会... I understand that 但 or some sort of "however" usually follows the end of a 虽然 clause, but the 因为 seems unnecessary and confusing to me. If the sentence went on to say, "but because there are a lot of ethnic groups such as ..., it is actually ...." it would make sense to me. Also, the entire sentence is gigantic and seems like a huge run-on. Is this really a valid sentence or just typical of conversation?
Posted on: Mainland & Taiwan Lingo: Transportation
December 4, 2007 at 9:20 PMDitto on the feed not working...
Posted on: Flattery in the Office
October 25, 2007 at 2:36 PMjohn, Thanks for the fantastic explanation on 嘛 (ma). I will try to wait patiently as you continue to build the mother of all Chinese grammar guides :-) And a big welcome to Clay! Keep up the great work, guys!
Posted on: Flattery in the Office
October 24, 2007 at 4:08 AMCould you elaborate a little more on the use of 嘛. (ma). In some cases it seems to add emphasis, or surprise and at other times appears almost like a suggestion (similar to 吧？） I see a placeholder for it in the Grammar Guide in the Modal Particles section but it doesn't appear to be filled in yet. Also, are there no longer grammar tag links in the lesson pages or am I missing something?
Posted on: Beauty Pageant for Bloggers
October 23, 2007 at 12:49 PMThis was very entertaining. I'm looking forward to see how this unfolds. 我很兴奋！
Posted on: Yang Jie's Diary: Date with a Nerd
October 18, 2007 at 2:58 PMI agree with wildyaks and darylk! This narrative format is very effective and is a great means to get at different parts of the language. I think that the continuing story line and the way in which the different diary entries play off of each other help provide a sort of macro-dialogue which help give the listener context so that we can "figure it out for ourselves" as Ken would say. Great job with these, Cpod. Did I hear you say that you wrote these entries, Jenny? I think darylk's idea is an excellent one. Lots of work for CPod, but it would be so effective for learning and addictive for us listeners. Harregarre , your plot would take the fun out of all of it. These soap operas are supposed to wind on forever, don't you know? Finally, I think Lantian and huasen are on to something. Ken is definitely getting REALLY wrapped up in this! When he went on and on about Yang Jie's whining and called her entry "weak" and not very "insightful", I just couldn't help but wonder what baggage he's carrying around. Maybe this is about his daughter, or maybe there's more to it. Ken's on her case so much that I'm inclined to think that he's secretly in love with Yang Jie himself.
Posted on: China’s Supergirl
May 31, 2007 at 12:33 PMamber, Thanks for the clear explanation. I appreciate your help!
Posted on: China’s Supergirl
May 28, 2007 at 11:59 PMCan you please explain the difference between these two sentences with regard to the us of 了(le ). Is the 了 near the end of the sentence in the first example because it is a question? Could it have been placed after 参加 in the first sentence while providing the same meaning? Is it related to the use of "did participate" vs. "particpated"? Any help would be greatly appreciated. 你参加中国流行音乐节了吗？ Did you participate in the Chinese Pop Music Festival? 昨天我参加了中国流行服饰节。 Yesterday I participated in the Chinese Popular Fashion Festival.
Posted on: Singapore
January 11, 2008 at 7:57 PMAmber, thanks for the reply. I was familiar with the 'although' structure requiring 但 or 可是, but not familiar with yīnwèi requiring suǒyǐ [until now :-)]. I guess the loose English translations in the pdfs, (although sometimes very appropriate) can be frustrating in that they gloss over certain pieces which make it hard to learn the actual patterns. I believe an additional level of quasi-literal translation in between could really help us learners. The way I am trying to reconcile it in my brain is like this: "Although small, because [it] is a multi-ethnic society (there are Chinese people, Malaysian people, Indian people and also people from all over the world working and traveling), Singapore is very vibrant."