Tips and Strategies about the Chinese Language and Culture
When I first started teaching at a Chinese university I was immediately confused by the way they refer to students. For example, a student might introduce herself as a “2012 jí 级” student. I (mistakenly) equated that to the English “Class Continue reading Class of 2012
Quiz time! 1. Look at the picture 2. Answer the question (to yourself) 3. Check the answer below (no peeking!) Question This is a picture of graffiti advertising for machine drilling a new well (jī zuàn jǐng 机钻井). I asked Continue reading Doubt: Harder Than You’d Suspect
We’ve talked a little bit before about concepts that are distinct in English but are the same in Chinese. Some of the examples I’ve given (I think) were: jiè 借 = to borrow / to lend ràng 让 = to Continue reading The Curse of the Convergent Concepts