User Comments - matt_c
matt_c
Posted on: Tea Tasting
June 5, 2009 at 2:40 AM@lamps5jam3 Yes, in fact you would. It really is a matter of face. When the Chinese treat someone, they usually try to impress. Be it giving the history of the dish, or telling you that it's the best "dish-x" in town, or that the restaurant has been famous for x generations (even though it may have new ownership), 吹牛 (chuīniú / to boast; lit. to blow a cow) is an essential part of giving, gaining and retaining face. Hence the idea of pretentiousness is different in China than it is in the West.
Posted on: Podcast Language 2
June 4, 2009 at 2:11 AMIn my experience I've always found that I've acquired languages rather than learnt them. Of course I studied them, but I've always attained fluency in immersion. Fortunate, I guess?
Believe it or not, you don't HAVE to come to China to find immersion. I met quite a few students of Chinese last year at the 'Hanyu Qiao' competition who spoke excellent Chinese, but were in China for the first time. In their own countries, they joined Chinese community clubs, made friends with Chinese people and basically wrapped themselves in a cloak of Chinese diaspora.
Granted, it's probably much easier for a young student to alter their patterns and surroundings to to this, however even for those with routines - there are ways to immerse yourself.
Another thing, when you really WANT to learn a language, no ammount of difficulty will stop you. I believe measuring languages based on difficulty serves to retard the learning process. It's like staring at a high wall you need to scale and dwelling on its height and the difficulty you'll endure whilst climbing it. Bugger it! Climb the wall, you know it's going to be a challenge - but you know that the harder the challenge, the greater the satisfaction when you've prevailed.
Posted on: 赤壁之战
June 3, 2009 at 9:59 AM@xiaophil 谢谢，希望我们能让你越来越高兴。
Posted on: Terrorized at the Airport
June 3, 2009 at 9:11 AM@njals I completely agree: frequent flyer points / 积分 / jīfēn
Posted on: Tea Tasting
June 3, 2009 at 6:45 AM@Iwelsh I think that it would be fair for us (CPod team) to add pinyin to our 汉字/hànzì in intermediate lessons.
If you are having trouble with reading Chinese characters, there are quite a few Chinese reader applications available for free online - Dimsum, NJstar. Alternatively, Wenlin and Plecodict are apparently worthwhile investments.
Posted on: Why are You Studying Chinese?
June 3, 2009 at 3:15 AM@Mongechapolin @stevec @21bambou @trevorB @Xuchen @mikeinewshot @fulankelin @mpocm @inland @jackfrombelgium @kamelie @travelgirl21 @mickeytoon @bendidelaowai @Henning @miami_meiguoren @engama @sgn316 @bodawei @a1pi2 @bababardwan @miantiao @xiaolongg @sebire @ncmuck @kaohsiung @dunderklumpen @rjberki @calkins @vinilla-guerrilla @duibudui @lotsofwordsandnospaces @alexyzye @cusirramos @masumada @stevemisch @tonymeadows100 @heruilin @mystic @wangaimei
WOW! Great to see such a variety of respones - so happy to see new faces and veterans alike contributing to this simple yet interesting topic - I'm keeping the tab for this lesson open in my browser and checking it regularly just to see what new comments are posted, what new reasons are stated.
A big welcome to those who've just arrived on cPod - and to those just starting out - learning Chinese is an Odyssey. Keep at it, jump at every chance to practice. Make mistakes, learn from them, keep moving forward.
If you are ever in Shanghai, drop in and say G'day. For those of you who have not been to China yet - do come, and if you have the time - immerse yourself for a stretch.
@Mikeinewshot Please look me up when you come here next, I'm sure I'll find you something to eat that you'll enjoy.
@Xuchen LOL. BTW Someone told me you were based in Xuzhou...
Posted on: 赤壁之战
June 3, 2009 at 2:14 AM@alexyzye I agree with your take the ending. I must say the first half was the best. The 八卦 bāguà formations were great, and the 古琴 scene ( 古琴 / gǔqín / Zither-like 7 stringed instrument ) was cool.
Posted on: 赤壁之战
June 3, 2009 at 2:00 AMOne of my favourite sayings when I'd just started learning Chinese: 说曹操，曹操到 / shuō Cáocāo, Cáocāo dào / Speak of the devil... (lit. speak of General Cao, and he will appear)
Posted on: Why are You Studying Chinese?
June 2, 2009 at 7:03 AMI started learning Chinese for a myriad of reasons. By interest started when I received a book from National Geographic called 'Journey Through China' in the mail. I received it in 1985, it was printed in either 81 or 83. Red Leather bound with a gold embossed Dragon on the cover. over 500 pages of amazing photos (photos taken in 1981). Funnily enough my Aunt ordered a book on sea life, National Geo messed it up - and here I am. Talk about 缘分 / yuánfèn /destiny!
Having lived in Switzerland for 4 years (age 11-15) and by the end of my stay speaking 3 languages fluently, my mind was open to the idea of easily acquiring an Asian language. 7 years later when I'd all but forgotten my Swiss German, German and French - I chose to return to my studies and learn Chinese. Coming to China was a move I knew I'd have to make in order to attain fluency. Having access to awesome food was a great bi-product of this.
Posted on: Podcast Language 3
June 6, 2009 at 5:41 AM@hackxw 关于换头像：首先打开"ME"，然后打开"Profile" tab.
然后点“Profile” 最下面的"Update Profile" 按钮。
然后点"Avatar" 旁边的"Browse"...接下来你应该知道怎么弄。