See Lai

Girl Needed For Marriage To Take Place

Like a solitary bolt of lightning striking the tallest tower on the ground, Ah Chig appeared in the doorway of our house. But that was last Saturday. A lot has happened since then. In fact, the constant action and excitement since Ah Chig's arrival has been so overwhelming that I could hardly find time to write about it.

Based on Ah Chig's (and Bert's) previous adventures, regular readers will have a mental image of the ever-exciting duo. However, it is time to reevaluate Ah Chig. He is no longer the village boy who couldn't speak English or Cantonese. Well, he still can't speak Cantonese. But English? Since he left and returned, he claims he has been learning English from a Chinese ballet dancer who used to live in Russia. Hmmm... Now that's amazing!

The Art Of Language

Sitting here, I am brooding over issues that concern the art of language. More specifically, does the following sound correct?

"In fact, it is his daughter."

Should it not be:

"In fact, she is his daughter."

But hey! What do I know?

Fuck off Ron, you quirky, ugly, ex-American!

Cheers!

Learn Chinese - Greetings

Further to our previous lessons, today let us look at some terms used while greeting people.

Here are the basic greetings:

English	Cantonese	Mandarin
How are you?	Lai Hao Ma	Nee Hau (Ma)
Good Morning	(Ch)Jou Sun	Neen (Ch)Jao
Good Afternoon	Ng On	Wu Aan
Good Evening	--	Wan Shyang Hau
Good Night	(Ch)Jou Thau	Wan Aan
Bye/See you	(Ch)Joy Kin	(Ch)Jai Chyen

Note: I am deliberately using different spellings for each word in each language to give specific importance to pronunciations. Generally, Chinese words are not written as above, not in pinyin anyway.

For example, I have written Ch in brackets alongside J as the beginning of the word. In reality the pronunciation is somewhere between these two.

Please refer to the pronunciation guide below (extended post) for further details.

Learn Chinese - "I Love You"

Just to make the first lesson (new window) a bit interesting, here is a complete sentence - and very useful for chasing girls or even girls chasing boys:

English: I love you.

Cantonese: Ngo Oi Nai/Lai

Mandarin: Wo Ai Ne/Nee

The easiest is the Mandarin pronounciation. "Wo" like "war" but without the 'r' pronounciation. "Ai" - almost similar to the English pronounciation "I". "Ne" or "Nee" almost similar to the "Knee" pronounciation of English.

Now go, say that to the Chinese woman/man in your office or on the street. Either s/he will kiss you, or, beat the shit out of you.

In any case... Cheers!

Learn Chinese - Basic

Since I have mastered many languages in this life, my first suggestion to anyone wanting to learn a new or foreign language is to think in the new language. This will hasten up your progress.

It will also eliminate the problem of translating your thoughts or answers from your native language (in mind) to foreign language (speaking, listening, reading, writing, etc.) or vice versa.

So here then are some basic words in both Cantonese and Mandarin:

English	Cantonese	Mandarin
I	Ngo	Wo
You	Nai/Lai	Ne/Nee
Us	Ngo Tei	Wo Men
They/Them	Khui Tei	Tha Men

Pronunciation Guide:

Cantonese is (sort of) nasal language. So while pronouncing "Ngo" (equivalent of I) put some emphasis on the n sound. There is no movement of tongue involved. Drawing in a little bit of air (sort of inhaling) will help a bit in correct pronunciation. The Mandarin equivalent is "Wo" where the sound is very similar to the English word "war" though drop the r from "War" and you almost have the Mandarin "Wo" = I or me.

For the second word above (You), there is a difference of opinion (at least among Hong Kong people). During conversation, most Hong Kong people pronounce "You" as "Lai". Very similar to the Hawaiian "lei" (as in the dress of leaves, etc.). However, the correct pronunciation (usually spoken by singers while singing) is "Nai" or "Nei" and the pronunciation should come close enough to the English word "Neigh" (as in the sound made by horses or horses were "neighing"). Though lose the "gh" part from the English word "Neigh" and you almost have the Cantonese pronunciation.

The Mandarin equivalent is also close enough to the "Nei" of "Neigh" above. Though many Chinese in mainland China pronounce "Ne" or "Nee" (You) similar to English word "Knee" (as in body limb). So while speaking Mandarin, just use the pronunciation of English word "Knee" and people should (mostly) understand what you mean.

The third word above (Us) should be easy in both languages if you have mastered the first two words (above). However, in the Cantonese "Tei" you should avoid using the deep (English) pronunciation of T and instead use the light pronunciation of T (as in French T, that is if you are familiar with French language).

If you understand the difference between T and light pronunciation of T, then my suggestion is you try to pronounce "They" (English) without the "h" sound and use the light T to begin the word. You will almost make the Cantonese "Tei" pronunciation. Or you can continue saying "Ngo They" (though the English pronunciation "They" here is wrong) until someone corrects you.

The Mandarin equivalent - "Wo Men" or rather the "Men" is a bit tricky. It is not same as the English word - Men, but the pronunciation is similar to "Man" from "Manchuria". Or even the pronunciation of "Man" from "Mantra". Practice it and you should be able to get it.

The fourth word is a bit easy. Just speak the way you read it in English (for Cantonese pronunciation of Khui) and the "Tha" from "Tha Men" is similar to Tha of Thailand.

Even though the explanations of pronunciations (above) sounds complex, in practicality they are not. If the need be, I recommend you read this post two or more times and then practice the pronunciation and words herein.

These are the most basic words you will use everyday and even if you are a slow learner or don't have enough time, 10 to 15 minutes a day should work wonders.

From tomorrow, I will move the explanation of 'Pronunciation Guide' and notes in the extended post section. Though any further suggestions from readers or those interested are most welcome.

Points of note:

a) Mandarin pronunciation are closely related to English pronunciation. Practically, there are 4 and half tones in Mandarin.

b) Cantonese pronunciations are very difficult. Theoretically, there are 9 different tones (or intonations) for each pronunciation. However, most people only manage to speak about 6 to 8 out of these.

c) It is said that Chiu Chow language has 18 tones. Though I have not verified. While my wife was born in Hong Kong, (both) her parents are from Chiu Chow (the same place where tycoon Li Ka Shing is from = Shan Thou or Xantau). My skills with Chiu Chow language are very poor. Besides, there is no need for you to learn that language.