The Jelly
Despite being really busy lately, I started a language exchange with my co-worker Wendy. She teaches me Mandarin and I help improve her English. I wish I could say it's a fair trade but her English isn't bad and I don't know any Mandarin. Last night, over a bottle of wine, I learned the four tones and the numbers one to 10. I also know how to say "where is my helmet?" among other things. I really enjoy the language (or maybe it's more than I enjoy the Chilean Cabernet-Merlot blend). I love learning Cantonese but I admit, Mandarin is sexier.
I taught her some new English words, which for some reason always have to do with "the birds and the bees." For example, Wendy now knows how to use the words "booty" and "bootylicious" properly. And next week's lesson..."herr" and "therr" and "err."
Chinese dialects sound so pretty. They are tonal, like music. That seems like a bum deal that Wendy is getting. :)
Posted by:sarah | March 09, 2006 at 04:26 PM
But last night she learned what a wedgie is!
Talk about a "bum" deal. Har.
Posted by:Andrea Chiu | March 09, 2006 at 11:35 PM
i know some mandarin, or, as we mandarin speakers like to say, potomquoi. wo, cho sho ying yang, ma? i downloaded some lessons.
Posted by:sam | March 16, 2006 at 05:48 PM
That really isn't a fair trade if her english is good enough to advance to the stage of 'wedgie'!
Did she teach you what wedgie is in mandarin?
Nice to see a Canadian report from Hong Kong. Do you get together with other Canadians there?
Posted by:Peter | March 17, 2006 at 10:43 AM