User Comments - robertdennis
robertdennis
Posted on: Hate is a Very Strong Word
December 02, 2011, 03:11 PMJenny, that you for the kind reply. You guys never cease to amaze me with your quality and professionalism. That's why I recommend you to everyone I know both professionally and privately.
My suggestion would be to re-do this lesson entirely, but not just for the negative stereotype issue (however, that would be enough of a reason). Coincidentally, I found it to be one of the worst lessons on ChinesePod (of which there are practically none!). Pete comes off as conceited, all-knowing and very nasally. There seem to be too many distractions which take away from the lesson. Just a thought... :-)
Posted on: Hate is a Very Strong Word
December 01, 2011, 05:12 AMWhile I appreciate the reference to gay men, the whole bit about can a gay man say "taoyan" is really quite silly and a bit offensive. For the record, I am a gay man happily partnered to another man and have two children. The whole stereotype about gay men somehow being effeminate and speaking like women is nothing more than a stereotype and a very false generalization. That's like saying that all Chinese women are submissive. It might be true for some, but it certainly does not apply to all and, to be frank, is just a cop out. So while I liked the lesson, I still cringe every time I get to that part of the lesson on "taoyan". Uggh.... BTW, is anyone gay on the staff at ChinesePod? If so, I wonder how they felt listening to this podcast.
Posted on: Colors, By Degrees
October 30, 2011, 03:58 AMThe lesson .pdf file is empty. Is there anyone to get someone to re-attach the correct version? My lesson is Tuesday, so any help would be appreciated.
Posted on: Colors, By Degrees
October 30, 2011, 03:58 AMThe lesson .pdf file is empty. Is there anyone to get someone to re-attach the correct version? My lesson is Tuesday, so any help would be appreciated.
Posted on: Colors, By Degrees
October 30, 2011, 03:58 AMThe lesson .pdf file is empty. Is there anyone to get someone to re-attach the correct version? My lesson is Tuesday, so any help would be appreciated.
Posted on: What's Your Name?
July 28, 2011, 01:55 AMJenny, thanks so much for this. Yes, I find it funny that when I worked in Hong Kong all the girls had chosen names from the 1950's, i.e. Rose, Ethyl, Lucy, etc. Very out-dated but cute at the same time. :-) So I guess, like you, now all I need to do is meet a really good-looking Chinese guy and take his Chinese name as mine! The transliteration of my name (罗伯特丹尼斯) is a bit heavy in Chinese, don't you think?
Posted on: What's Your Name?
July 27, 2011, 05:21 AMSo if the Chinese often anglicize their names (i.e. Jenny) to make it easier on foreigners, what can we as foreigners do to make pronouncing our names easier for the Chinese? For example, how do you say "我 叫 Robert Dennis"?
Posted on: Taking the Plunge into Intermediate
December 29, 2011, 03:32 AMWhat perfect timing! I'm in my last week of Elementary and wondering if it's worth it sign up for Intermediate given that I don't live in China. I've been studying not only the pinyin but also the characters throughout the Newbie and Elementary levels. I have't seen the Intermediate cursus yet, but I'm wondering if it can be tailored to, say, be more business specific, or profession specific.