• ChaoticNeutralCzech@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      Tom: How can I get to the toilet?

      You: Can you speak Chinese?

      Tom: Yes of course

      You: 那我們說中文吧 “Then let’s speak in Chinese”

      Tom: 好的,沒問題 “Okay, no prob”

      You: 前面右轉直走100米就到了 “Turn right then walk 100m and you’ll arrive”

          • ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.de
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            1 year ago

            Geopolitics. Learning English was always forbidden behind the Iron Curtain. You may argue that it does not exist anymore but how do you explain this?
            IMG_20231108_102207

            • theneverfox@pawb.social
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              1 year ago

              I mean, that’s just demonstratively wrong. I’ve got plenty to criticize about China, but I personally know multiple people who got offers to teach English over there with a very, very basic understanding of Chinese

              They most certainly prize speaking English without an accent… I’m not saying it’s a good deal, but they most certainly encourage the program

                • theneverfox@pawb.social
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                  1 year ago

                  I’d explain it by saying they’re attempting to “rebuild pride in their Chinese heritage”. After years of Western culture being equated with prosperity, they’re pushing to build a new national identity more convenient for them

                  Many countries have efforts to try to preserve their culture against American media - like France limits the amount of English songs on the radio. They still teach people English aggressively in schools - it’s the primary language of trade and technology

                  The PRC just wants it both ways. They want the advantages of globalization and speaking the international language, but they want it to be culturally stigmatized too

      • Masimatutu@mander.xyz
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        1 year ago

        Lemme translate this back into English in order to demonstrate how bad this Chinese is:

        Tom: Can you (plural) speak Chinese

        You (singular): It is.

        Edit: I’ll fix it for ya though :)

        TOM: 我怎麼能去廁所?

        你:你會不會說中文?

        TOM: 當然了

        • BartsBigBugBag@lemmy.tf
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          1 year ago

          Whoa that’s traditional Chinese isn’t it? I’ve never seen that before outside of my books, which I promptly ignore until I get a hang on simplified 😂

          • Masimatutu@mander.xyz
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            1 year ago

            Yup. I like it more because I think it’s prettier and more logical. I was taught simplified growing up, though.

            • BartsBigBugBag@lemmy.tf
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              1 year ago

              I suppose I could just Google it or ask her, but I’ve noticed that my teaching uses 是的 to mean yes, but you noted it as “it is”, and my girlfriend uses “对的” when she’s talking to other 中国人. What is the best to use just as “yes”?

              • Masimatutu@mander.xyz
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                1 year ago

                Chinese doesn’t really have a real “yes”. 對的 (对的) just means correct. The most straightforward yes answer to a yes/no question would probably be [verb you want to confirm]+的. So “yes” in response to “會不會” would be 會的.

                • BartsBigBugBag@lemmy.tf
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                  1 year ago

                  Ooooh!!! That makes sense!!! Thank you so much! I think the time I first noticed her saying 对的 a bunch was while on the phone with her bank, so it makes sense she would be “confirming” things. Thanks again!

                  • Masimatutu@mander.xyz
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                    1 year ago

                    不用謝!

                    Sorry, by the way, if I seemed rude in my initial comment. I didn’t mean to, but in hindsight it could have appeared so.