Fun With Radio Commercials (Update: No. 5)

[Flying Pigeon]

Thanks, Roddy. After wrestling with it in QuickTime and Audacity, I was able to convert it to a mp3. Please let me know if you're able to download and listen to it.

I wish the GarageBand app allowed .mp3 files as an export option; it only exports .m4a files. I've downloaded some other apps that have more export options and will give them a spin this morning.

[Flying Pigeon]

Just uploaded a proper .mp3 file. Should work now.

[Ludens]

Great stuff! I am able to open both files now that you've fixed it.

This one was much easier (for me) than the first one (so needless to say I like this one better :-). I could actually understand 80% after a few listens.

[abcdefg]

Worked fine for me (as an MP3) and was an easy listen. An enjoyable exercise. Thanks for putting it together for us.

And I guess Mom was using a tablet to hand write words for input into the computer since she did not know Pinyin. Ties in with another recent thread.

http://www.chinese-f...wacom-in-china/

[Flying Pigeon]

Hi Ludens,

Glad you're able to open the files now. I think this thread will help me with my audio editing/formatting skills as well as my listening and translating skills. : ) That's great that you were able to understand 80% after a few listens!

Hi abcdefg,

You're welcome! Thanks for listening. I'm happy to read that the exercise was enjoyable. That's funny, I also thought about the mom using a tablet for handwriting, of course after I posted and turned my computer off. I'll update the translation section. Thanks for the feedback.

[abcdefg]

This one was real tough for me. Had to look at the transcript.

[Flying Pigeon]

Same here. I thought this was dificult as well. Had to listen to it many times and still didn't get it right. semantic nuance saved the day!

[prateeksha]

This one is certainly easier than the first one, and a very heart-warming message too. Thank you for the wonderful exercise!

PS: Thank you, I love this picture of Kurt's

[Flying Pigeon]

Hi prateeksha,

Glad you liked it. I like the message too, and I think they presented it well. It didn't strike me as corny or melodramatic. I agree, this one is easier than the first one. I'll try to find something that's somewhere between the two in terms of difficulty for the next one. Thanks for participating!

[Flying Pigeon]

No. 3

Alrighty, back with another commercial. This one is about a certain kind of medicine.

Let’s start with some questions:

1. What is the name of the medicine?

2. What is the name of the company that makes it?

3. Who is the medicine for?

4. What kinds of ailments does it cure/alleviate?

5. How is the medicine taken?

Answers:

1. What is the name of the medicine? 丁桂儿脐贴 (Dinggui Erqi Tie).

2. What is the name of the company that makes it? 亚宝药业 (Ya Bao Pharmaceuticals).

3. Who is the medicine for? Children.

4. What kinds of ailments does it cure/alleviate? Diarrhea and indigestion; also helps digestion.

5. How is the medicine taken? 贴丁桂儿脐贴. It’s an adhesive bandage that you “stick” on the child’s tummy.

Transcript:

Woman: 孩子拉肚子，快贴丁桂儿脐贴。孩子消化不良，还贴丁桂儿脐贴 。贴上暖暖的。孩子肠胃好，我们都轻松。丁桂儿脐贴治腹泻，助消化 。

Man: 亚宝药业。

Note: It sounded like she said, “还” instead of “快”. What did you hear?

Rough Translation:

Woman: The child has diarrhea. Hurry and put a Dinggui Erqi Tie bandage (on his/her tummy). The child has indigestion, (you can) also use a Dinggui Erqi Tie bandage. It’s warm (when you apply it). The child’s digestive system is better, we can all relax. The Dinggui Erqi Tie bandage cures diarrhea and aids digestion.

Man: Yabao Pharmaceuticals.

If you notice any mistakes or have suggestions for a smoother translation, please let me know. Thanks for tuning in.

commercial_3.mp3

[Flying Pigeon]

Admin,

The content in the spoilers is revealed on the homepage. Any way to prevent that? Thanks.

[imron]

If you like I could merge all the radio commercial threads into a single thread, that way later posts wouldn't show up on the homepage. Failing that, you'll need to wait for Roddy to chime in.

[jkhsu]

This is a similar product that people in China buy for their kids when they have a fever. I can't find any of these things in the USA though (probably not approved by the FDA).

[Flying Pigeon]

imron,

Thanks for the fast reply. I'll wait for roddy's suggestions.

jkhsu,

I like the name (Bing Bing Tui Re Tie) and the packaging.

Here's some info about the product mentioned in this commercial. I did a pinyin search after listening, because I couldn't figure out some of the characters.

[imron]

Merged after discussion with the OP.

[Flying Pigeon]

No. 4

Back with another one. Time to bust out the headphones.

Some questions:

1. What emotion is mentioned in this commercial?

2. What are two examples of when this emotion is experienced?

3. What is the commercial advertising?

4. What is the name of the company?

5. What are the lyrics at the end?

Answers:

1. 幸福 (happiness)

2. (Man) Knowing the bus will arrive in 6 minutes, having time to finish his coffee.

(Woman) Knowing there is a traffic jam up ahead and being able to find (choose) an alternate route in advance.

3. Being able to use wireless and mobile technology to look up traffic conditions and public transportation.

4. 中国移动通信 (China Mobile)

5. 为了幸福而改变，就是我们的理想。For (the sake of) happiness and change, this is our ideal/aspiration. (Note: This is a rough translation. Any ideas for a more natural way of saying it?)

Transcript:

Man: 幸福是知道公交车还有6分钟进站。我能喝完这杯咖啡。

Woman: 幸福是知道前面正在堵车。我能提前选择畅通的路线。

Man: 幸福是智能公交。

Woman: 幸福是手机路况查询。

Man and Woman: 幸福就在我们的无线城市。

Song: 为了幸福而改变，就是我们的理想。

Announcer: 移动改变生活。中国移动通信。

A rather clunky translation:

Man: 幸福是知道公交车还有6分钟进站。我能喝完这杯咖啡。Happiness is knowing that the bus will arrive at the station in 6 minutes. I can finish my coffee.

Woman: 幸福是知道前面正在堵车。我能提前选择畅通的路线。Happiness is knowing there is a traffic jam up ahead. I can chose an alternate route in advance.

Man: 幸福是智能公交。Happiness is “smart” public transportation.

Woman: 幸福是手机路况查询。Happiness is using (my) cell phone to check road (and traffic) conditions.

Man and Woman: 幸福就在我们的无线城市。Happiness is right here in our wireless city.

Song: 为了幸福而改变，就是我们的理想。For (the sake of) happiness and change, this is our ideal/aspiration.

Announcer: 移动改变生活。中国移动通信。Mobile (technology) changing life. China Mobile. (Maybe, “Mobile technology changing our lives,” might be a better way of saying it. Any suggestions?)

If you notice any mistakes or have suggestions for a better translation, please let me know.

No.4.mp3

[Flying Pigeon]

Greetings! Here is another public service announcement (公益广告). My better half helped me come up with some questions in Chinese.

If you have any questions or notice any mistakes, please let me know.

Questions:

1. 女的30年做了什么？

2. 老头子30年做了什么？

3. 老太太30年做了什么？

4. 30年前用过的塑料袋怎么样？

5. 白色污染是什么意思？

6. 这个公益广告想告诉我们什么？

Transcript:

解说员: 30年，我能做些什么？

女的: 30年，我从小学念到博士。现在做了一名大学老师。

老头子: 30年，我从抱儿子变成抱孙子了。

老太太: 30年，我和老伴已经庆祝珍珠婚了。

解说员: 30年会发生很多事情。可是我们30年前用过的塑料袋却还在土壤中仍未降解。

少用塑料袋，多用环保袋。白色污染少一点，绿色环保多一点。

Answers (in English):

1. Got her Ph.D. and is now a professor.

2. Raised his son; became a grandfather.

3. Celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary (pearl wedding anniversary).

4. Underground, and they still haven't decomposed yet.

5. "White pollution", plastic litter.

6. Reduce use of plastic bags (because they take a long time to decompose); use eco-bags (e.g. canvas bags that can be used multiple times). Cut down on plastic litter, protect the environment.

No.5.mp3