Archive for 'Culture'
History of the PRC – Part Four Posted by sasha on Jan 24, 2010
At the end of our last lesson, Duan Qirui had given up his position as the Premier of China. However, pressure from his Anhui Clique soon forced President Feng to restore him. In the 1918 elections, which are thought to have been rigged, members of Duan’s clique took over 3/4 of the seats. At the…
Riding the Train Posted by Transparent Language on Jan 13, 2010
Hello readers! I am currently in 南宁 (Nanning) city in the 广西 (Guangxi) autonomous region, which is home to the 壮族 (Zhuang ethnic minority). Taking the train over here, I took the 硬卧 (hard sleeper) option along with my friend, because all of the tickets for 软卧 (soft sleeper) seats had already sold out. As…
A Real NFL Game Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 15, 2009
The other day I attended a live 橄榄球 (American football) game with family and a friend. As we approached the 运动场 (stadium) sponsored by a company which manufactures 剃须刀 (razors), we observed large numbers of 球迷 (sports fans) preparing their 烧烤 (barbecues). The idea of eating meat before watching a gladiatorial match made me wonder…
Phrasings between the north and south Posted by Transparent Language on Nov 25, 2009
Between northern and southern China, there are many linguistic differences. Differing dialects aside, there are also general lexical differences- similar to the “soda” and “pop” phenomenon in the US. If someone says they’ll give you something 晚一点 (a bit later) in the north, they’d say 迟一点 (a bit later) in the south. What people down…
Net Slang pt.1 Posted by Transparent Language on Oct 27, 2009
Hello to all my reader 盆友 (friends)! 哇吓咪 (why) am I talking like this? 94俺 (it’s just that I) want to teach you some net slang. Don’t 晕 (feel faint) and don’t break a 汗 (sweat). By the end of this, you’ll saying, “at first he 745 了(really had me mad), but he’s no 愤青…
Chinese Valentine’s Day Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 27, 2009
Yesterday was 七夕节 (Chinese Valentine’s Day). It comes from the story of a mortal cowherd 牛郎 (lit. cowherd) and 织女 (lit. fabric woman), a goddess, who met but eventually were torn apart (versions of why vary). Every year on the 7th day of the 7th month on the 阴历 (lunar calendar), there is a 鹊桥…
Cha Can Ting Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 21, 2009
Living in Shenzhen has placed me near Hong Kong, which puts me near innumerable 茶餐厅 (HK-style cafes). Besides serving one of my favorite dishes – 蛋挞 (egg tart, it should be one of your favorite dishes too) – there are also great 牛肉粥 (beef rice porridge) dishes. For drinks, you’re never at a loss, as…