Archive for April 4th, 2010

Chinese Culture – Chinese Peasant Painting(1)

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

“They must be Chinese works!” This is likely your first thought upon a quick and casual glance at the two below paintings, which are marked by bright colors and vibrating with a vivaciously rural style and bold imaginations. The brush strokes are absolutely Chinese. Or more specific, they are Chinese peasant or Chinese folk paintings. The unique brushwork is highly regarded throughout the world for its theory, expression, and techniques.

Just as the name implies, Chinese Peasant paintings are created by Chinese farmers or peasant artists. Their compositions are linked with the daily life in rural areas, covering farm work and animals, festivals, music, village customs, harvest scenes, and children. Theses subjects completely free themselves from staleness and are always painted in grand fashion. The style can be described as primitive, with childlike figures, vivid colors, and exaggerated forms that are far beyond the common world of most people. A case in point is the contour of the chickens and the worm in the first picture.

Both the hen and the rooster, gorgeously designed, easily arouse the image of the legendary phoenix, especially with the hen supported by its two legs, each as strong as the hind legs of the larger rooster.

The rooster, standing on the back of the hen, looks like a bird since its green feather is so brilliantly decorated. The lively worm, on the other hand, stares at its predator the hen with no signs of dread although it is insignificant in terms of size.

Source: chinaculture.org

Chinese Conversation – lesson 766

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

查尔斯:玛丽!玛丽·斯科特!
玛  丽:查尔斯吗?你好,查尔斯。
查尔斯:早上好。
玛  丽:很好!谢谢,你好吗?
查尔斯:很好,谢谢。
玛  丽:你在这儿做什么?
查尔斯:我在接马丁·勒纳。
玛  丽:马丁·勒纳是谁?
查尔斯:他是在“美国之音”工作的一名记者。
玛  丽:一名记者?
查尔斯:是的,他要来参观我们的飞机场。

CHARLES: Mary! Mary Scott!
MARY: Charles? Hello, Charles.
CHARLES: Good morning. How are you?
MARY: Fine, thanks. How are you?
CHARLES: Fine, thanks.
MARY: What are you doing here?
CHARLES: I’m meeting Martin Learner.
MARY: Who is Martin Learner?
CHARLES: He’s a reporter with the Voice of America.
MARY: A reporter?
CHARLES: Yes. He’s visiting our new airport.

Practice 1: 打招呼的常用语有:Hello, Good morning, How are you。除了 Good
morning 只在中午以前使用外,另两个在一天中任何时候都可使用。
Examples: MARY: Hello, Charles.
CHARLES: Good morning. How are you?
MARY: Fine, thanks. How are you?
CHARLES: Fine, thanks.

(Source: wwenglish.com)

Learn Chinese Podcast – Stir-fried Balsam Pear

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

Stir-fried Balsam Pear Stir-fried Balsam PearTaste: Slightly bitter but refreshingly tasty.

Features: Crispy and succulent.

Ingredients:

250 grams (0.55 lb) balsam pears

50 grams (0.11 lb) carrots

20 grams (1 1/2 tbsp) salad oil

3 grams (2/3 tsp) sugar

1 head of garlic

5 grams (1/6 oz) scallions

5 grams (1/6 oz) ginger

5 grams (1 tsp) sesame oil

Directions:

1. Wash the balsam pears and cut each one into two halves. Take out the pulp and cut the balsam pears into shreds. Wash the carrots, remove the skins and cut into shreds. Cut both the scallions and ginger into small shreds. Remove the skin from the garlic and mash the cloves.

2. Heat the wok on strong fire, add the oil and continue to heat. Throw in the scallions, ginger and mashed garlic, quickly stir-fry and add the shredded balsam pears. Put in the sugar and add the shredded carrots and salt. Stir-fry until they become soft. Add the MSG, sprinkle on sesame oil, and the dish is ready to serve.

(Source: culture.chinese.cn)