Bird Language -- 鳥語

[Woodpecker]

I'm a westerner born and brought up in London. As I understand it, 'Red light district' is a general term meaning somewhere in a town/city where prostitutes ply their trade. The name comes from the fact that at night they put red lights in their windows when they were available. Chinese lanterns are a different thing altogether and are associated with China, so it's fine that Chinatown (and some other streets in London) display red Chinese Lanterns in the streets, even though Soho used to be known as London's 'Red Light district'.

[Koneko]

So is Kings Cross London's "new" Red Light District?

I love Soho because it's right next to Chinatown.

Sex & Food in the City?!

Have you heard of this saying, "食色性也"?

K.

[Quest]

In Mandarin: 什么鸟~ is similar to "the hell"' date=' "the heck". [/quote']

Quote:

Look at it this way - it is not impossible that the term came from 鳥語花香, meaning it is pleasant to listen to.

Luckily, Skylee has said it, so I don’t need to express the point again. I think there is some kind of place called “Red-light District” in Western society. Can we say that we Chinese people should not use red lanterns to express festive atmosphere?

I don't know why you are quoting me? and I don't quite follow what you are trying to say?

Are you saying 那是个什么鸟东西？is not similar to What the heck is that? and 你是什么鸟人？not similar to Who the hell are you?

[Ian_Lee]

I don't think Cantonese-speaking people (though I cannot speak on behalf of those in Guangzhou) ever "tease" Mandarin.

Why? Very simple.

Look at the degree of popularity of Teresa Teng in the Cantonese-speaking world. Teresa had even moved her residence from Mandarin/Minnanhua speaking Taiwan to Cantonese-speaking HK.

[studentyoung]

I don't know why you are quoting me? and I don't quite follow what you are trying to say? Are you saying 那是个什么鸟东西？is not similar to What the heck is that? and 你是什么鸟人？not similar to Who the hell are you?

I think 那是个什么鸟东西？is similar to What the heck is that, and你是什么鸟人? similar to Who the hell are you?

However, I think sometimes one thing or one word has more than one meaning, right? Do you mean the word “鸟” in “鸟语花香” shares the same meaning in the word “鸟人”? Do you mean the word “你妈的” in “你妈的混蛋” shares the same meaning in “你妈的身体还好吗，你妈的药，你都拿了吧?”

I don't think Cantonese-speaking people (though I cannot speak on behalf of those in Guangzhou) ever "tease" Mandarin.

Why? Very simple.

Look at the degree of popularity of Teresa Teng in the Cantonese-speaking world. Teresa had even moved her residence from Mandarin/Minnanhua speaking Taiwan to Cantonese-speaking HK.

Of course, Ian_Lee, you can’t speak on behalf of those in Guangzhou, but you can speak on behalf of yourself and the likes of you, at least.

According to this Putonghua promotional article, Putonghua can replace dermatologist! After you speak Putonghua, the rashes on your body will disappear

Hmmm......I just wonder if mumbling in Putonghua instead of Cantonese during sex may more easily push you to orgasm!

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/15-cctv-learn-chinese671&page=3

Thanks!

[roddy]

I don't think Cantonese-speaking people (though I cannot speak on behalf of those in Guangzhou) ever "tease" Mandarin.

Why? Very simple.

Look at the degree of popularity of Teresa Teng in the Cantonese-speaking world. Teresa had even moved her residence from Mandarin/Minnanhua speaking Taiwan to Cantonese-speaking HK.

I've got to ask, is this meant to be a genuine attempt at logic or are you just having a laugh?

[Quest]

However, I think sometimes one thing or one word has more than one meaning, right? Do you mean the word “鸟” in “鸟语花香” shares the same meaning in the word “鸟人”? Do you mean the word “你妈的” in “你妈的混蛋” shares the same meaning in “你妈的身体还好吗，你妈的药，你都拿了吧?”

I said "什么鸟~ is similar to". Perhaps you thought I didn't know what a 鸟 was? According to you, how should one interpret it when someone called her a Chink? Since the world lived in harmony, she must have misheard it, that someone must have referred to a crack in the wall?

Now that I understand what you were trying to say...

Luckily, Skylee has said it, so I don’t need to express the point again.

I am not quite sure you and skylee were on the same page? Skylee recommended a 自欺欺人 technique; the difference between you and her was that she knew it was 自欺欺人, but you didn't seem so?

On another note, I've heard 鸟语花香 used in CCTV variety shows several times to mock southern dialects. I am afraid I can't agree that they used it in a positive way. Wasn't there a ban on the mockings not long ago?

studentyoung, I am amazed by your positive views towards life. It looks like 党 had succeeded in creating a socialist paradise afterall, for the believers anyways.

[Koneko]

Cockfight!

本是同根生，相煎何太急？

K.

[skylee]

Quest, I usually stop when I don't think that something is worthwhile. I guess you could consider this approach. It is not worth it.

[elina]

I think this kind of discussion makes no sense. People should at first face the truth:

1. As a Beijing native, I can bet there are "tease" things towards non-mandarin, and there’re also many other unfair and unfriendly things, which I feel regret for the Beijingers and feel sorry for the outsiders. But also, there’re so many other warm-hearted and very friendly people, and I will try my best to be one of them.

2. I THINK of course there are "tease" things towards mandarin in some of Cantonese-speaking people, because 世界之大，无奇不有，you cannot choose what kind of person you will encounter. People no need to not to admit this.

I usually stop when I don't think that something is worthwhile.

I agree with Skylee, and I like the signature of againstwind:

天地有大美而不言。

What a beautiful sentence!

[HashiriKata]

天地有大美而不言。

What a beautiful sentence!

It's a contradiction, elina!

Without words (= without saying "天地有大美而不言"), how do you know it's "a beautiful sentence" ??

[elina]

Ha ha, your humor taken! Now I will be 不言, in order to 假装使自己看起来很美。

[Quest]

Quest, I usually stop when I don't think that something is worthwhile. I guess you could consider this approach. It is not worth it.

Suggestion well taken. I am just killing time here, because nothing is worthwhile here, if you think about it

[studentyoung]

I said "什么鸟~ is similar to". Perhaps you thought I didn't know what a 鸟 was? According to you, how should one interpret it when someone called her a Chink? Since the world lived in harmony, she must have misheard it, that someone must have referred to a crack in the wall?

On another note, I've heard 鸟语花香 used in CCTV variety shows several times to mock southern dialects. I am afraid I can't agree that they used it in a positive way. Wasn't there a ban on the mockings not long ago?

Oh ~ ~, I see. Well, I think the basic common sense here is that we don’t need to discriminate others just because they discriminate us. Can we say that we can win more respect from others by showing them our confidence, tolerance and wise, while facing up to misunderstanding or even discrimination?

I think this kind of discussion makes no sense. People should at first face the truth:

1. As a Beijing native, I can bet there are "tease" things towards non-mandarin, and there’re also many other unfair and unfriendly things, which I feel regret for the Beijingers and feel sorry for the outsiders. But also, there’re so many other warm-hearted and very friendly people, and I will try my best to be one of them.

2. I THINK of course there are "tease" things towards mandarin in some of Cantonese-speaking people, because 世界之大，无奇不有，you cannot choose what kind of person you will encounter. People no need to not to admit this.

Agree, elina! Thank you so much for your kind words! Here is a special Cantonese song called “交换温柔 Exchange Tenderness” for you. 林夕 wrote it specially for “9•11”. Yes, the song is also for Ian_Lee, skylee, Quest, grimacekid, shibo77,Xiao Kui, Yang Rui, gato, roddy, Woodpecker Koneko, HashiriKata, and those who even read this thread!

http://mp3.baidu.com/m?f=ms&rn=&tn=baidump3&ct=134217728&word=%BD%BB%BB%BB%CE%C2%C8%E1&lm=-1

歌曲：交换温柔

歌手：郑秀文

曲:陈辉扬

词:林夕

能共你活着别分手

怎可当世界没尽头

宁愿任细水再长流

才怀念最欢乐时候

能为你活着别分手

请假设你我没然后

请感激你我还能够

站在暴雨中漫游

为何还吝啬所有

将温柔捐给你都怕未够

在这呼天不应的公路

突然想好好跟你抱一抱

也许明日未能坐着共你倾诉

我们渺小得似蝼蚁飞舞

直到很久不见的恐惧

才突然想亲口跟你说一句

重新爱下去

就当跟最后伴侣

活到拥抱着沉睡

原来永别两字太干脆

在这充满争拗的天地

萤幕前巴不得跟你再嬉戏

如果有运气待你好到被嫌弃

为你生怎么怕死

难道我没气力爱惜你

无论我活着活多久

都知道你我在地球

珍惜温柔怎舍得

独个享有

Thanks!

[HashiriKata]

Let's conclude this thread with the above song (and let mine become the last words ), shall we?

Thank you!

[elina]

Can we say that we can win more respect from others by showing them our confidence, tolerance and wise, while facing up to misunderstanding or even discrimination?

I feel touching.

and let mine become the last words

No, I disagree, please let mine become the last words