Discuss

englishangel · Post by **englishangel** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:26 pm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sout ... 616640.stm

with reference to CH

I found this on the BBC and thought it would make an interesting topic, especially with our 'international' contingent.

Mid A 15 · Post by **Mid A 15** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:40 pm

englishangel wrote:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sout ... 616640.stm

with reference to CH

I found this on the BBC and thought it would make an interesting topic, especially with our 'international' contingent.

I voted alternative but not compulsory.

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:41 pm

I think it would make sense as an alternative language - maybe you could choose between German and Chinese?

Mrs C. · Post by **Mrs C.** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:44 pm

Well Russian has already been dropped from the curriculum......

But I think Japanese or Chinese would be good as an optional subject.

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:45 pm

Mid A 15 wrote:
englishangel wrote:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sout ... 616640.stm

with reference to CH

I found this on the BBC and thought it would make an interesting topic, especially with our 'international' contingent.
I voted alternative but not compulsory.

Likewise.

Which version, though? Mandarin? Cantonese?

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:46 pm

Richard Ruck wrote:
Mid A 15 wrote:
englishangel wrote:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sout ... 616640.stm

with reference to CH

I found this on the BBC and thought it would make an interesting topic, especially with our 'international' contingent.
I voted alternative but not compulsory.
Likewise.

Which version, though? Mandarin? Cantonese?

How different are they and which one is the most popular in China?

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:50 pm

I think Mandarin is the language of Northern China (and of government). Cantonese is certainly spoken in Hong Kong so might be of commercial value.

Not really sure, though. This link might help :

http://www.glossika.com/en/dict/index.php

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:51 pm

Mrs C. wrote:Well Russian has already been dropped from the curriculum......

But I think Japanese or Chinese would be good as an optional subject.

Nice cheap study trips as well!!

englishangel · Post by **englishangel** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:54 pm

Richard Ruck wrote:
Mrs C. wrote:Well Russian has already been dropped from the curriculum......

But I think Japanese or Chinese would be good as an optional subject.
Nice cheap study trips as well!!

Nice cheap irony too

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:56 pm

Guilty as charged!

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:58 pm

Well, my vote is the 'No' vote.

Too d@mn inscrutable, these Chinese !

Katharine · Post by **Katharine** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:00 pm

Richard Ruck wrote:I think Mandarin is the language of Northern China (and of government). Cantonese is certainly spoken in Hong Kong so might be of commercial value.

As far as I understand it, you are correct, the written language is the same whatever the spoken dialect (compare numerals the same in most languages now) the dialects can be mutually incomprehensible. We have Chinese friends (married couples) who have to speak English to each other as their mother tongues are different.

We spent 12 years in Borneo in three different postings so I got very used to seeing written Chinese and hearing several different dialects spoken. It is fascinating to hear one side of a telephone conversation taking place in several languages at the same time.

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:06 pm

I have a (Welsh) friend whose wife (Chinese by descent, Huddersfield by birth) speaks Hakka, which is yet another dialect.

Welsh speakers meeting Hakka speakers made for an interesting wedding reception.

Katharine · Post by **Katharine** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:26 pm

Richard Ruck wrote:I have a (Welsh) friend whose wife (Chinese by descent, Huddersfield by birth) speaks Hakka, which is yet another dialect.

Welsh speakers meeting Hakka speakers made for an interesting wedding reception.

I've been there, Hakka is widely spoken in Sabah, our first Borneo posting. I think one of the most exotic combinations I've come across was when we were in Ghana. He was Bengali, she was Swedish their servants spoke Fanti and their child was brought up to speak all three with English as well. We also knew a Japanese and German couple whose mutual language was Malay, they had both been aid workers.

mr tall · Post by **mr tall** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 6:30 pm

I have spent some time over the last couple of years in China on business. There can be no doubt that China is already very important in world terms and as long as the political system doesn't break down in a nasty way, it will continue to become more so.

One of the biggest problems that they have in China is learning English as there are few native English teachers there and the English that is taught very often leaves a lot to be desired! However, English is compulsory in all schools and there are more english speakers in China than in Europe. Quantity, not quality!

All Chinese learn Mandarin at school and that is the Chinese language which people should learn here. Cantonese and other dialects are very often not understood even in neighbouring provinces.

Reading Chinese is the main problem for us in learmning the language; I gather that you can read a newspaper if you understand only 5000 characters!!

I did russian at CH. Whatever happened to good old Roger Biddick? Got himself arrested in Red Square for taking a photo of a Russian soldier drinking vodka! Then, Russian seemed like it was one of the most important world languages. How things change.

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