
They turned out to be great seatmates. He worked on his Sudoku puzzles before falling asleep, and she was eager to chat with me about Cantonese and Mandarin when she had to close up her busy iPad. We were a good match for this topic: she had fresh impressions of her native Cantonese, and I always love to talk about Mandarin, after my recent struggle learning it during 3-years of living in mainland China.
She had grown up in Hong Kong, but was schooled in English during British rule by convent nuns, then spent some time in Taiwan, cramming in Mandarin from relatives who lived there.
“Mandarin sounds melodic to me,” she said, calling out especially the clear and classic Beijing accent. I had never thought of Mandarin as melodic, like Italian, but I agreed with her that it indeed was, compared with Cantonese, with its clipped word endings and guttural sounds. (Cantonese has lots of words that end in guttural sounds like “k” sounds like kok and jik hak, while Mandarin words always end in in softer, languid vowels, for liquidy “n” or “r” sounds.)
“People sound angry when they’re speaking Cantonese!” she continued, “they speak so loud and so fast!” I agreed completely with that description of Cantonese, and I often did a double take to witness “fights” on the street, only to realize they were everyday conversations.
Her comments reminded me of another sensibility I often felt when I was speaking Mandarin (and wrote about in my book, Dreaming in Chinese, chapter 2!) : that I was being abrupt or even rude when speaking Mandarin. This feeling too, I learned, has a basis in grammar of the language. For example, when you’re with close friends and family, you omit the niceties of the language -- the pleases and thank you’s -- and when you’re saying “no”, you simply say “bu yao” (Don’t want!) instead of softening the language with lots of qualifiers like “Oh, no thanks, I don’t think I would like anything right now.”
I learned from my grammar books that inserting terms we consider polite actually has the opposite effect in Mandarin, like inserting a buffer or margin between you and the person you’re speaking to—which strips away the closeness and suggests a distance between you— making not for a measure of politesse, but rather of being offensive!
(image from elliott.org)
I used your picture from this blog in my blog entry. Come check it out http://cloudsandchaos.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteFrom the time the start inside 1989, the particular Person Promaster Number of timepieces will be brazilian hair for the superlative toughness also inside the most challenging surroundings and its particular power to execute correctly inside many showing off career fields. Vintage models and also superior engineering regarding Residents Promaster timepieces will be evident inside the Person Promaster Terrain Assortment, The particular Person Promaster Oxygen Assortment as well as the Person Promaster Marine Assortment. Superior Engineering While using the Strength regarding Mild. Person is well known for your "Eco Drive" engineering found in the awesome watches. Person has been the initial to be able to control the energy regarding normal or perhaps man-made mild to be able to change that directly into vitality to perform a wristwatch. Additionally, this kind of engineering retailers adequate strength to ensure the operating with the observe movements inside full darkness for pretty much half a year. This phenomenal engineering furthermore offers you any servicing totally free observe that will not demand exchanging the particular battery power. Vintage brazilian hair uk regarding Residents Promaster Timepieces. Person Promaster timepieces may also be well-known for vintage models. Over time, the business provides re-launched and also reconditioned several Person Promaster designs to produce these more desirable and also very useful.
ReplyDeleteMy dream hair product doesn't fade my henna colored hair and keeps my long curls moisturized. And it's not animal tested too! This is why, what follows is a careful glimpse on the human used for extension. brazilian hair extensions for sale Shop our site for Virgin Hair Extensions. We carry Brazilian Hair, Malaysian Hair, Peruvian Hair, Nano-Ring Extensions and Clip-In Hair Extensions.
ReplyDeleteSeems like you had very interesting conversation. I understand you so much about Cantonese (but, as for the person who dont know chinese at all, all the dialects sound like quarrelling), but i know russian and when i did a small research for the college application essay review service warwickshire i understood that for lots of the people it sounds like quarrelling.
ReplyDelete2016-5-7 xiaobao
ReplyDeleteabercrombie & fitch
ray ban sunglasses
nike outlet store
adidas originals shoes
ray bans
jordan 4 toro
true religion jeans
michael kors outlet
kate spade
supra shoes
north face outlet
jordan 8s
tods shoes
louis vuitton outlet
coach outlet
adidas superstar
coach outlet
louis vuitton outlet
cheap jordan shoes
tory burch handbags
louis vuitton outlet
hollister clothing
jordan 8
michael kors outlet
coach outlet store online clearances
louis vuitton handbags
louis vuitton handbags
oakley sunglasses
coach outlet
adidas trainers
michael kors outlet
nike roshe flyknit
michael kors outlet clearance
coach outlet online
michael kors outlet
oakley sunglasses
cheap oakley sunglasses
ray bans
abercrombie
retro jordans
Ralph Lauren Outlet
ReplyDeleteUgg Boots Sale UGGS For Women Skechers Go Walk Adidas Yeezy Boost Adidas Yeezy Adidas NMD Coach Outlet North Face Outlet Ralph Lauren Outlet Puma SneakersPolo Outlet
Under Armour Outlet Under Armour Hoodies Herve Leger MCM Belt Nike Air Max Louboutin Heels Jordan Retro 11 Converse Outlet Nike Roshe Run UGGS Outlet North Face Outlet
Adidas Originals Ray Ban Lebron James Shoes Sac Longchamp Air Max Pas Cher Chaussures Louboutin Keds Shoes Asics Shoes Coach Outlet Salomon Shoes True Religion Outlet
New Balance Outlet Skechers Outlet Nike Outlet Adidas Outlet Red Bottom Shoes New Jordans Air Max 90 Coach Factory Outlet
asics shoes
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton
gucci handbags
louis vuitton handbags
michael kors outlet
ugg outlet store
lebron 13 shoes
jordan 8
ray ban sunglasses
ralph lauren uk
adidas shoes
rolex submariner
burberry outlet
christian louboutin outlet
ugg canada
jordan retro 3
michael kors outlet clearance
uggs sale
louis vuitton outlet
canada goose
north face outlet
hermes bag
oakley outlet
coach factory outlet
canada goose
adidas nmd
rolex submariner watches
rolex watches
moncler pas cher
michael kors handbags
beats headphones wireless
longchamp sac
jordans
the north face
tory burch outlet
vans shoes
coach outlet online
nike roshe run
michael kors handbags
beats headphones
chenlina20160816
I must appreciate the way you have expressed your feelingsthrough your blog!..
ReplyDeleterun 3
Happy New Year 2018 Happy New Year 2018 Images Happy New Year 2018 Wallpapers Happy New Year 2018 Wishes Happy New Year 2018 Quotes New Year 2018 Happy New Year 2018 Happy New Year 2018 Images Happy New Year 2018 Wallpapers Happy New Year 2018 Wishes Happy New Year 2018 Quotes Happy New Year 2018 Photos Happy New Year 2019 Happy New Year 2019 Images Happy New Year 2019 Wallpapers Happy New Year 2017 Wishes Sayings In French New Year 2017 Funny Jokes In Japanese New Year 2017 Animated Greeting Images In Hebrew New Year 2017 Whatsapp DP Status Messages Quotes SMS In Hebrew
ReplyDeleteCoach Outlet http://www.coachoutletfactory-stores.us.com
ReplyDeleteNorth Face Outlet http://www.northface-outlets.com.co
Kate Spade Outlet http://www.katespadefactoryoutlet.in.net
ED Hardy Outlet http://www.edhardypopsale.com
Coach Outlet Store Online http://www.coachstoreonline.in.net
Kate Spade Outlet http://www.katespadeoutletstore.in.net
Cheap Jordans http://www.cheapjordansretro.us.com
Coach Purses http://www.coachpurses.eu.com
Coach Outlet http://www.coachoutlet2016.us.com
Tory Burch Shoes http://www.toryburchoutlets.us.com
Longchamp Outlet http://www.longchampoutlet.in.net
Michael Kors Handbags http://www.innnov8.com
Coach Outlet http://www.innnovate.com
Red Bottom Shoes http://www.redbottomshoes.us.org
Moncler Jackets http://www.monclerdownjackets.us.com
North Face Outlet http://www.northfacestoreoutlet.in.net
Kate Spade Outlet http://www.katespadeoutletstore.us.com
Moncler Outlet http://www.moncleroutletonline.in.net
Coach Factory http://www.maganates.com
Coach Factory Outlet http://www.coachfactorysoutlet.in.net
Kate Spade Outlet http://www.katespadesoutlet.us.com
Ray Ban Outlet http://www.raybanoutletstore.in.net
Christian Louboutin Shoes http://www.christianlouboutinshoes2016.in.net
North Face Outlet http://www.northfaceoutlets.us.org
Coach Factory Outlet http://www.coachoutletstore.name
Kate Spade Outlet http://www.katespadeoutletonline.name
Coach Outlet http://www.coach-outlets.us.org
Nike Roshe Run http://www.tanie-nikerosherun.pl
Buty Nike Air Max http://www.airmaxsprzedazdla.pl
Nike Air Max http://www.nikeairmax.us.org
Red Bottom Shoes http://www.redbottomshoe.in.net
Christian Louboutin Outlet http://www.christianlouboutinoutlet.us.org
Balenciaga Handbags http://www.balenciagaoutlets.us.com
Balenciaga Handbags http://www.balenciaga-handbags.us.com
Kate Spade Outlet http://www.katespadefactoryoutlet.in.net
Toms Shoes http://www.tomshoesoutlet.us.com
Hermes Belt http://www.hermes-belts.us.com
Prada Outlet http://www.pradafactoryoutlet.com
Louis Vuitton Outlet http://www.louisvuittonsoutlet.us.com
North Face Outlet Store http://www.northfaceoutletstore.in.net
North Face Jackets http://www.north-face.in.net
North Face http://www.north-faceoutlets.us.com
Louis Vuitton Outlet http://www.louisvuitton-outlets.us.org
Timberland Boots http://www.timberland-outlets.us.com
Cheap Timberland Boots http://www.timberlandoutlet.us.com
Tory Burch Outlet http://www.toryburch-outlets.us.com
Ralph Lauren Outlet http://www.ralphlaurenstoreoutlet.us.com
Gucci Shoes http://www.guccifactoryoutlet.name
Gucci Outlet http://www.guccioutletco.us.com
North Face Jackets http://www.northfacefactoryoutlet.us.com
Prada Outlet http://www.pradaoutlets.in.net
Hollister Clothing http://www.hollister-clothing.us.com
Ferragamo Shoes http://www.ferragamoshoes.us.org
Tiffany Outlet http://www.tiffany-outlets.us.com
Tiffany Outlet http://www.tiffanyco-outlet.us.com
NFL Jerseys http://www.nfljerseys.name
Toms Outlet http://www.outlettoms.us.com
Cheap Jordans http://www.cheapjordans.eu.com
North Face Outlet http://www.thenorthfaceoutlet.us.org
Prada Handbags http://www.pradaoutlet.us.org
Chan Luu Sale http://www.chanluu.us.com
Toms Outlet http://www.tomsoutletstores.us.com
Kate Spade Outlet http://www.katespadeoutletofficial.us.com
Beats By Dr Dre http://www.beatsbydrdre.us.org
Coach Outlet http://www.coachstoreoutlet.us.org
Christian Louboutin Shoes http://www.christianlouboutinshoe.eu.com
Valentino Shoes http://www.valentinoshoes.eu.com
Michael Kors Outlet http://www.michaelkorsoutlet.us.org
Coach Factory Outlet http://www.coachfactoryoutlet.us.org
Coach Outlet Online http://www.coachoutletonlinestore.us.org
Coach Purses http://www.coachpurse.us.com
awesome , thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletelinux training in chennai red hat linux training in chennai
harden shoes
ReplyDeletebeats headphones
ralph lauren outlet online
michael kors outlet clearance
longchamp sale
oakley sunglasses wholesale
polo ralph lauren outlet
michael kors outlet store
nfl jerseys
adidas superstar trainers
20170316shizhong
This blog is so nice to me. I will continue to come here again and again. Visit my link as well. Good luck
ReplyDeleteobat aborsi
cara menggugurkan kandungan
cara menggugurkan kandungan
ray bans
ReplyDeleteugg on sale
adidas nmd runner
canada goose jackets
cheap ray ban sunglasses
yeezy boost 350
adidas yeezy shoes
coach outlet online
cheap air jordans
uggs outlet
clb1106
ray ban sunglasse
ReplyDeletecanada goose outlet
pandora
kate spade outlet
ugg boots clearance
christian louboutin outlet
coach outlet
coach outlet
canada goose jackets
cheap ugg boots
yaoxuemei20180322
The article that you wrote a very nice, easy to see and very useful, we are waiting for further information, thank you very much
ReplyDeleteHandlessmillionaire.com Snakeis.com balloonsio.org
just information we only provide information for those who need it cara menggugurkan kandungan
ReplyDeleteA. obat telat datang bulan
B. posisi berhubungan agar cepat hamil
C. makanan dan minuman agar cepat hamil
D. panduan agar cepat hamil
E. cara agar cepat hamil
F. cara agar cepat hamil setelah selesai haid
G. cara alami untuk segera mendapat kehamilan
Good! These terrific subject material, it makes sense and I have found interesting things here
ReplyDeleteGamebug|run-3|Dig-it|Tower-make|primary-math
Get Packers and Movers Jaipur List of Top Reliable, 100% Affordable, Verified and Secured Service Provider. Get Free ###Packers and Movers Jaipur Price Quotation instantly and Save Cost and Time. Packers and Movers Jaipur ✔✔✔Reviews and Compare Charges for household Shifting, Home/Office Relocation, ***Car Transportation, Pet Relocation, Bike SHifting @ Packers And Movers Jaipur
ReplyDelete