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Monthly Archives May 2008

Zhonglish: ulterior motives

Language correction as decoy
Those who think the sole purpose of language is communication are destined for disappointment and confusion. It’s not that language can’t serve that purpose, it’s just that it’s equally well suited to obfuscating, mollifying, incensing, distracting, humiliating… well, all those human activities so near to our hearts.
You’d hope this universal law of [...]

Posted 18 May 2008 † syz § Yuèmǔ U. § zhonglish ‡ Comments (16) ° Tagged: ,

Earthquake update

Our thoughts are with those many who have lost loved ones and continue to struggle. Please follow Danwei for ways to help and donate. Much thanks to all of you who have inquired: the extended Beijing Sounds family is fine.

Posted 17 May 2008 † syz § Uncategorized ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged:

“Si sain” to Echoes of Manchu

Introducing a new blog on Manchu
For those of us in the “slightly obsessive about Beijing Dialect” category, it’s always a bit of a head-scratcher to think that Mandarin was not the exclusive language of the ruling class here during a good chunk of the last 400 years.
The Manchu, with their mǎnyǔ (满语 = Manchu language) [...]

Posted 05 May 2008 † syz § Uncategorized ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: , ,

Yuèmǔ U. — Recordings from the classroom

On learning from elders — the core principles
The currency at Beijing Sounds is recordings of course. Youtube, Youku — they’re equally negotiable (and better than the sad sack USD these days). Or leave the recorder running and get candids on your friends, your relatives, your shopkeepers and taxi drivers. Money!
The truly gold-backed currency, though, is [...]

Posted 03 May 2008 † syz § Yuèmǔ U. ‡ Comments (9) °