Relatively Speaking Posted by Transparent Language on Sep 4, 2009
When speaking another language, it can sometimes feel like trying to stick a square peg into a round hole. Some ideas in your native language do not carry over into the target language. Although plurals in English may often lose distinctions in Chinese, the most elusive counterpart may be a direct answer. When somebody says应该…
Ordering Food Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 30, 2009
The other day, I ordered one of my favorite foods, a 咖喱鸡饭套餐 (curry chicken set meal) complete with a 一杯冻奶茶 (cup of cold milk tea). It was going to be great, but what I hadn’t counted on was the 商务流程 (business process) of this restaurant being 搞混 (mixed-up). First, someone 上门 (came to my door)…
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…
Residential Certificates Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 24, 2009
Today when I went to get my foreigner registration permit, I ended up in a place specializing in 警务 (police affairs) and realized that I had 走错 (gone to the wrong place). The officer inside informed me that my residence was not within the 范围 (scope) of that particular outpost. When I got to the…
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…
Internet Support Line Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 19, 2009
Hello Readers! Well, I thought I had done it all, until of course I had to 缴费 (pay the bills) for my internet connection at a local 营业厅 (service hall/center). They could take cash to 办理 (conduct, carry out) the payment 业务 (service), but when I returned home I found that my connection still had…
A Crazy Weekend Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 15, 2009
Yesterday was a fun-filled day. I went 潜水 (scuba diving) complete with a 氧气瓶 (oxygen tank) strapped to my back, rode a 摩托艇 (jet ski) and even went up on a 帆伞 (parasail). The 沙滩 (beach) tourism industry in Shenzhen is alive and well, especially at 大梅沙 (Dameisha) where I was. The activity that took…