Archive for October 22nd, 2008

Learn Chinese Podcast – Happy China 304

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

                                  Click to Watch Video Podcast

    就像昨天说的那样,

    As we said yesterday,

    唐山在我眼中是座催人奋进的城市。

    Tangshan in my eyes is an inspiring city.

    仅用了十年时间,

    In only ten years’time,

    唐山人就在废墟瓦砾上

    the people of Tangshan

    建起了一座新城。

    built a new city on the heap

    of rubble.

    并且还获得了联合国颁发的

    The city has been awarded the

    United Nations

    ”人居荣誉奖”。

    Habitat Scroll of Honor.

    今天,

    Today,

    就让我们真正走进这座美丽的城市,

    let’s truly walk into this beautiful city

    走进唐山人生活的家园。

    and into the homes of

    Tangshan residents.

    韩佳: 快乐学汉语,

    Learn Chinese the fun way

    万里海疆行。

    and enjoy a happy journey

    across China!

    大家好,

    Hello there!

    我是快乐的韩佳。

    I’m Merry Han Jia.

    王渊源:我是快乐的王渊源。

    And I’m Happy Wang Yuanyuan.

    韩佳: 渊源,觉得这里怎么样?

    Yuanyuan, what do you think

    of this place?

    环境很不错吧?

    Is the environment here

    quite good?

    王渊源:绿树成荫!挺好的。

    What a lot of shady trees!

    It must be a nice place.

    这里是不是唐山的南湖公园啊?

    Is it Nanhu Park of Tangshan?

    韩佳: 你怎么会知道的?

    How did you know that?

    我昨天在常青老师那儿

    I saw some photos of this place

    看见过这儿的照片。

    at Mr.Chang’s home.

    韩佳: 对对对。

    Yes, yes.

    说起这南湖公园啊

    There is a big story

    可不简单了。

    about Nanhu Park.

    它可是唐山灾后重建的

    It’s one of the biggest highlights

    in Tangshan’s

    一大亮点啊。

    post-disaster reconstruction.

    王渊源:”亮点” 指很精彩,

    ”Liangdian” is a highlight

    很引人注目的事物?

    or a particularly outstanding part

    of something, right?

    韩佳: 对。

    Right.

    ”亮点”就是指很精彩,

    ”Liangdian” refers to a highlight

    很引人注目的事物。

    or a particularly outstanding part

    of something.

    南湖公园是唐山的一大亮点,

    A highlight of Tangshan, Nanhu Park

    也是唐山人民值得骄傲的一个地方。

    is the pride of Tangshan residents.

    王渊源:这么好的环境

    Such a nice environment

    的确是值得人骄傲。

    deserves to be the pride of

    local people.

    其实值得唐山人民骄傲的是

    It deserves to be the pride of

    Tangshan residents

    因为他们把这里

    because this formerly filthy

    从一个脏乱差的地方,

    and dilapidated place

    变成了现在这个样子。

    has turned into a beautiful park.

    王渊源:你这么一说我想起了

    Your remark reminds me that

    这里好像以前得过什么国际大奖吧。

    the park seems to have won a certain

    international award.

    韩佳: 对啊。

    Yes.

    就是联合国授予的

    It was the UN Dubai International

    Award for

    ”迪拜国际改善居住环境最佳范例奖”。

    Best Practices to Improve the Living

    Environment.

    旁白: 一座工业城市,

    It wasn’t easy indeed for

    an industrial city

能获得这样的奖项的确很不容易。

    to have won such an award.

    除了整洁的市容、

    In addition to the clean and

    neat streets

    优美的环境之外,

    as well as the beautiful environment,

    吸引我们的

    what attracts our attention

    还有那一个个现代化的住宅小区。

    are also the various modern residential areas.

    看来不仅自然环境改造得好,

    It seems not only is the natural

    environment good,

    市民居住的环境也不错呀。

    but the living environment

    is also good.

    韩佳: 可不是嘛。

    That’s right.

    地震之后,

    After the earthquake,

    因为家园被毁掉了,

    due to the destruction of

    their homes,

    所以很多人

    many people

    只能住在简单搭建起来的屋子里。

    had to live in makeshift huts.

    可随着城市建设步伐的加快,

    But along with the step-up of

    urban construction,

    越来越多的市民

    an increasing number of residents

    have moved

    都搬进了设施完善的小区。

    into well equipped residential areas.

    像这样高品位、

    There are many

    高质量的社区,

    such high-class and high-quality

    唐山已经有很多了。

    residential areas in Tangshan.

    王渊源:居住条件改善了,

    With the improvement of their

    living conditions,

    人们的心情也是越来越好了。

    people have begun to live in

    a better mood.

    人人都开心,

    The people are all happy

    家家都幸福。

    and families are all happy, too.

    韩佳: 这句话说得好。

    You put it so well.

    量词重叠呢,

    The repetition of a measure word

    就可以用来形容每一个人都怎么样,

    can be used to express that

    each one is the same,

    没有例外的。

    without exception.

    渊源刚才说”人人都开心,

    When Yuanyuan said just now that

    ”renren” is happy

    家家都幸福” 呢,

    and “jiajia” is happy,

    就是说每一个人都开心,

    he meant that everyone is happy

    每一家人都幸福。

    and every family is happy, too.

    王渊源:量词重叠呢,

    The repetition of a measure word

    可以用来形容每一个都怎么样,

    can be used to express that

    each one is the same,

    没有例外的。

    without exception.

    韩佳: 那我们把刚才说的那句话再来说两遍。

    Let’s say the sentence once again.

    Rén rén dōu hěn kāixīn jiā jiā dōu hěn xìngfú

    人 人 都 很 开心,家 家 都 很 幸福。

    The people are all happy and families

    are all happy,too.

    王渊源:韩佳,我有个建议。

    Han Jia, I have a suggestion.

    要不我们去跟这些市民聊聊天,

    How about a chat with some

    local residents

    看看他们的生活怎么样。

    to find out what kind of life

    they are living.

    韩佳: 好啊。

    Good.

    旁白: 要说感受市民的生活,

    As for getting a feel for

    the life of locals,

    王渊源的劲头儿可比我要大。

    Wang Yuanyuan has more

    enthusiasm than me.

    对这个美国小伙子来说,

    For this American young man,

    和普通的中国人接触、

    communicating and chatting with

    ordinary Chinese

    聊天,是最让他感兴趣的事情。

    is something he is most interested in.

    而我也十分好奇,

    And I am also curious to

    know exactly

    究竟是怎样的一种

    what kind of living conditions and

    生活状态和精神状态,

    what kind of state of mind

    才能让这里的人们

    have enabled the local people

    不仅战胜了灾后的巨大痛苦,

    not only to overcome the immense

    post-disaster pain,

    而且把生活经营得如此有声有色呢。

    but also to manage their lives

    so impressively.

    想了解这些,

    To find out the answer,

    可得近距离的感受唐山市民的生活了。

    we have to get close to the life

    of Tangshan residents.

    我俩决定各施妙计。

    We two decided to use

    different tactics.

    韩佳: 渊源,你说你一个大小伙子的,

    A big young guy as you,

    到这儿来凑什么热闹啊?

    why should you be here to

    disturb them?

    王渊源:这怎么能说是凑热闹呢。

    I’m not disturbing them at all.

    这个《俏夕阳》是唐山最有特色的舞蹈。

    Before the Sunset is a very unique

    dance of Tangshan.

    到这儿来哪能不比划比划呀?

    Since I’m here, why shouldn’t

    I emulate them?

    韩佳: 还真有那么点儿意思。

    Your movement does resemble

    theirs in a way.

    不过,我觉得我肯定

    But I’m sure

    能跳得比你更专业一点,

    I can dance more professionally

    than you

    因为我拜了师父了。

    because I have a teacher.

    有请我师父。

    My teacher, please.

    师父。

    Hello, ma’am.

    王渊源:你好,你好。

    Hello.

    韩佳: 师父,您告诉他,

    Please tell him, ma’am,

    您今年高寿了。

    how old you are.

    嘉宾: 我年轻着呢。

    I’m still very young.

    我刚七十四岁。

    I’m just 74 years of age.

    韩佳: 听见了吗?

    Did you hear it?

    年轻着呢。

    My teacher is still very young.

    师父,

    Ma’am,

    那您参加这个舞蹈队有多少年了呀?

    how long have you been with this

    dance troupe?

    嘉宾: 十年了。

    For ten years now.

    韩佳: 十年?你想想这十年,

    Ten years? Just imagine in

    ten years’ time,

    那把动作得练得多标准、多规范啊。

    how precise and standard you would

    have made each of your movements!

    王渊源:你拜了个师父就了不起啊?

    You thought you’re different

    because you have a teacher?

    我也有师父啊。

    I also have a teacher.

    韩佳: 你也有?

    You do?

    那你倒是请过来呀。

    Then show your teacher to us.

    王渊源:我这师父得我亲自去请啊。

    I have to invite my teacher myself.

    韩佳: 谱还挺大!

    It must be an extraordinary teacher!

    去看看。

    Let me go take a look.

    师父,我们去看看。

    Ma’am, let’s go.

    王渊源:你瞧,这就是我师父。

    Look, this is my teacher.

    师父好!

    Hello, my teacher!

    嘉宾: 徒弟好。

    Hello, my disciple.

    韩佳: 这是你师父啊?

    Is this your teacher?

    王渊源:对呀。你告诉她你多大了。

    Yes. Tell her how old you are.

    嘉宾: 我四岁了。

    I’m four years old.

    韩佳: 四岁的师父!

    A four-year-old teacher!

    嘉宾: 没错儿,没错儿。

    Yes, exactly.

    她也是我们舞蹈队的队员,

    She is also a member of our

    dance troupe

    而且是年龄最小的。

    and the youngest member.

    她今年四岁。

    She is four years old this year.

    我今年七十四岁。

    And I’m 74 this year.

    我们两个之间相差七十年。

    The difference in age between

    us is 70 years.

    韩佳: 差七十年!

    A difference of 70 years!

    观众朋友们,

    Audience friends,

    不知道您刚才注意到没有,

    did you notice that

    我跟渊源问二位年龄的时候,

    when I and Yuanyuan asked

    about their ages,

    说法是不一样的。

    we spoke differently.

    我问我师父:

    I asked my teacher:

    ”您高寿啊?”

    ”Nin gao shou?”

    王渊源:我问我师父:

    And I asked my teacher:

    ”你多大了?”

    ”ni duo da le?”

    韩佳: 在中国,问别人年龄

    There is a strict rule in China

    是很有讲究的。

    when asking about ages.

    问老人的年龄,

    When we ask someone very

    old about his/her age,

    我们要说”您高寿啦”。

    we should say “nin gaoshou la”.

    王渊源:而问年龄比较小的人,

    When asking someone younger

    about his/her age,

    一般都会说”你多大啦”。

    we normally say “ni duo da la”.

    韩佳: 没错儿。

    Absolutely.

    Nín gāo shòu la nǐ duō dà la

    您 高 寿 啦?你 多 大 啦?

    How old are you?

  

    那既然我师父也请来了,

    Since I have invited my

    teacher here

    你的师父也抱来了,

    and you’ve also brought

    your teacher here,

    这样吧,

    I suggest

    我们把其他舞蹈队的成员请上来,

    we also invite all the other members

    of the troupe here

    一起来跳跳舞。

    and dance together.

    王渊源:好啊。

    Good.

    《俏夕阳》舞蹈模拟唐山皮影戏 配上民族音乐

    Before the Sunset is a dance in imitation of

    Tangshan shadow puppet characters and

    performed to local folk music.

    具有浓郁的地方特色

    It exhibits the area’s local culture.

    幽默滑稽的动作

    The dancers’ movements are exaggeratedly humorous.

    彼此默契的配合

    In perfect coordination,

    舞出生活之美

    they extol the beauty of life

    舞出激情昂扬的精神风貌

    and the soaring spirit of confidence and optimism.

    传统文化和现代文明在这里交相辉映

    The traditional and the modern set off each other.

    新城崛起 生机盎然

    This new city is full of vigor and vitality.

    唐山人以乐观向上的精神建设着美好的家园

    Tangshan residents are building their city

    with confidence.

    王渊源:唐山的美景也看过,

    We’ve seen Tangshan’s

    beautiful scenery

    唐山的舞蹈也跳过。

    and danced a Tangshan dance.

    赶紧的,我们让电视机前的

    Let’s hurry and get our

    观众朋友们一起参与一下吧。

    audience friends involved.

    韩佳: 一起来跳舞啊?

    In a dance together?

    王渊源:不是,不是。

    No, no.

    是参与今天的有奖问答活动。

    I mean to get them involved in

    today’s award-giving quiz.

    韩佳: 对。您听好了。

    Yes. Listen carefully.

    不要忘了我们的口号:

    Don’t forget our slogan:

    合: 学说中国话,朋友遍天下。

    Learn Chinese and make friends everywhere!

(Source: cctv.com)

Chinese Culture – Group Sites of the Liangzhu Culture

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

 

Group sites of the Neolithic Age

 

Location: Yuhang County, Zhejiang Province

 

Period: 3,300-2000 BC

 

Excavated from 1936 to the present

 

Significance: The find is of significant academic value to the study of the origin of civilization in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

 

 Introduction

 

The Liangzhu Culture, with an area of about 34 square kilometers, is a late Neolithic (Chalcolithic) Culture located in Southeast China. It has over 50 excavated sites, the most famous of which are Yaoshan Altar, Mojiaoshan Earth Pyramid, ect. 

Cong, a jade cuboid with a hole in the middle: ritual object (up, height 4.5 cm); Cong, a jade cuboid with a hole in the middle: ritual object (bottom, height 10 cm)

 

The most remarkable part of the Liangzhu culture is their large number of high-quality green jade artifacts, and their religious importance. Many other cultures contemporary with the Liangzhu Culture also had jades, but none could compare to those of the Liangzhu Culture. There were two kinds of jades that were prominent for their ritual use during this time. These are called bi and cong jade. The bi is a circular ring used to worship heaven, and the cong is an elongated square tube used to worship earth. Over 5,000 jade articles have been collected so far. The discovery of these relics shows that the Group Sites of the Liangzhu Culture is one of the cradles of the Chinese civilization.

 

 Liangzhu Culture

 

Well-known for its high quality and a number of jade artifacts, the Liangzhu Culture succeeded the Majiabang Culture and later became part of the Shang Dynasty. The Liangzhu Culture is roughly contemporary with the Longshan and Hongshan cultures to the north.

 

Liangzhu Culture, growing keng rice and making black-based and black-burnished pottery, represents the earliest Chalcolithic Culture in southeast China. They also left significant evidence to reveal some of their social practices. The evidence shows a pronounced social structure, a reckless consumption labor, extensive human sacrifice, and the iconography of power.

Source: chinaculture.org

Chinese Conversation – lesson 237

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008

办公室里,约翰在午休时看来很疲惫
珍妮:你看来昨晚睡得不好。
约翰:是睡不好。我买的新床垫中间陷了下去。
珍妮:听来你似乎买到那种‘黑心’床垫了。
约翰:我也这么想。我想要退货,但是我想我退不了。
珍妮:或许就连店家也不知道这是‘黑心’床垫。
约翰:是啊,而且我没拿收据。
珍妮:你干脆就把那床垫丢了,买个新的吧。
约翰:我猜那会强过大老远把床垫扛回店里的痛苦。

John looks tired during a lunch break at the office
Janet: You look like you didn’t sleep well last night.
John: I didn’t. The new mattress I bought sags in the middle.
Janet: It sounds like you got one of those “dirty” mattresses.
John: I think so. I’d like to return it, but I don’t think I can.
Janet: The storeowner probably didn’t even know it was a “dirty” mattress.
John: Yeah, and besides, I didn’t get a receipt.
Janet: You might as well just throw it out and get a new one.
John: I guess that’s better than the pain of carrying it all the way back to the store.

(Source: wwenglish.com)