This weekend, the UTSA College of Education and Human Development, the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies and the East Asia Institute will sponsor the 2009 Annual Conference of the Chinese Language Teachers Association of Texas (CLTA-Texas). The conference, also supported by the Confucius Institute at Texas A&M University and the Education Office of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Houston, promotes teaching Chinese as a foreign and heritage language in Texas.
The CLTA-Texas conference is open to Chinese language teachers, principals and administrators from public and private high schools, heritage schools and universities in San Antonio and the surrounding areas such as Houston, Dallas and Austin. Leaders from Chinese organizations in San Antonio and Austin and UTSA students also are invited to attend the conference.
This year's conference, themed "Connecting Classroom Teaching to the Real World," will include six panels and 16 presenters -- all teachers, principals and language program coordinators from high schools, heritage Chinese schools, and colleges and universities. Panel topics will range from the establishment and development of Chinese programs to effective K-16 teaching methods.
Claudia Ross, a professor from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., and vice president of CLTA at the national level, will present the keynote address titled "How Long Does it Take to Learn Chinese?" Ross is the author of "Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar" published by Routledge Press.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Chinese mainland A/H1N1 flu cases near 2,350
The Chinese mainland has confirmed nearly 2,350 cases of A/H1N1 influenza as of 3 p.m. Monday, with 84 new cases reported in the previous 72 hours, the Ministry of Health said Monday.
Among the newly confirmed cases, half came from overseas and the remainder were infected in the Chinese mainland, the ministry said.
The Chinese mainland reported its 1,000th confirmed A/H1N1 case in early July. Since then, the number of confirmed cases has been growing at an average of 40 a day.
Of confirmed A/H1N1 cases, 2,167 have recovered and been discharged.
There have been no fatal or critical cases resulting from A/H1N1 reported on the Chinese mainland so far, but one infected patient in Hangzhou from eastern Zhejiang Province reportedly died of electrocution in a ward lavatory on July 1. The death was thought to have been caused by a faulty electric circuit.
Among the newly confirmed cases, half came from overseas and the remainder were infected in the Chinese mainland, the ministry said.
The Chinese mainland reported its 1,000th confirmed A/H1N1 case in early July. Since then, the number of confirmed cases has been growing at an average of 40 a day.
Of confirmed A/H1N1 cases, 2,167 have recovered and been discharged.
There have been no fatal or critical cases resulting from A/H1N1 reported on the Chinese mainland so far, but one infected patient in Hangzhou from eastern Zhejiang Province reportedly died of electrocution in a ward lavatory on July 1. The death was thought to have been caused by a faulty electric circuit.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Eric Bana's Chinese skills need polishing
Australian actor Eric Bana admitted Tuesday on ABC’s “The View” that while he can recite Mandarin Chinese in his films, he doesn’t always understand what he’s saying. Bana appeared on the American talk show to plug his movies “Funny People” and the upcoming “The Time Traveler’s Wife.”
Bana co-stars in “Funny People” as Clarke, who is the husband of star Adam Sandler’s ex-girlfriend. Clarke has just returned from China and is a fluent Chinese speaker. In the clip shown today, Clarke speaks in Mandarin with his children. He describes Mandarin as a “bloody odd language” in the movie.
Following the clip, co-host Joy Behar asked Bana what the meaning of “baba bu yao” was. Bana smiled and confessed, “I didn’t understand what it meant then, and I don’t understand what it means now.”
Show creator Barbara Walters asked, “Is that all you can speak?”
“That’s all I can speak in Chinese,” Bana said.
Bana co-stars in “Funny People” as Clarke, who is the husband of star Adam Sandler’s ex-girlfriend. Clarke has just returned from China and is a fluent Chinese speaker. In the clip shown today, Clarke speaks in Mandarin with his children. He describes Mandarin as a “bloody odd language” in the movie.
Following the clip, co-host Joy Behar asked Bana what the meaning of “baba bu yao” was. Bana smiled and confessed, “I didn’t understand what it meant then, and I don’t understand what it means now.”
Show creator Barbara Walters asked, “Is that all you can speak?”
“That’s all I can speak in Chinese,” Bana said.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
World of Warcraft Inches Back to China’s Desktops
China’s pasty-faced warriors and wizards may soon be headed back to their indoor lairs.
Chinese Internet company Netease received approval Tuesday from the Ministry of Culture to offer the World of Warcraft online role-playing game, according to portal Techweb. The Chinese government agency’s Web site showed the game had passed its content examination.
World of Warcraft will still need an approval from another regulator, the General Administration of Press and Publication, or GAPP, before it can be relaunched. Analysts said that it’s very likely the game will be relaunched in late August or early September.
In April, World of Warcraft’s owner, Activision Blizzard of the U.S., picked Netease to replace a company called The9 in running the game in mainland China. NetEase and Activision Blizzard jointly issued a public letter stating that the first batch of game servers will be opened in late June.
But the game has been unavailable in China since June 7 as its operators awaited regulatory approval. That has led to grumblings among fans of a game that — as anyone who has stepped foot in an Internet café in China can tell you — borders on an obsession.
Chinese Internet company Netease received approval Tuesday from the Ministry of Culture to offer the World of Warcraft online role-playing game, according to portal Techweb. The Chinese government agency’s Web site showed the game had passed its content examination.
World of Warcraft will still need an approval from another regulator, the General Administration of Press and Publication, or GAPP, before it can be relaunched. Analysts said that it’s very likely the game will be relaunched in late August or early September.
In April, World of Warcraft’s owner, Activision Blizzard of the U.S., picked Netease to replace a company called The9 in running the game in mainland China. NetEase and Activision Blizzard jointly issued a public letter stating that the first batch of game servers will be opened in late June.
But the game has been unavailable in China since June 7 as its operators awaited regulatory approval. That has led to grumblings among fans of a game that — as anyone who has stepped foot in an Internet café in China can tell you — borders on an obsession.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Stories from Ancient China: Humbled by the Great Ocean
Ancient Chinese placed great importance on the Yellow River, considering it to be the cradle of Chinese civilization. Farmers used its waters to irrigate their rice paddies. That is why they called this river “The River of God” or the “Heavenly River.”
According to legend, one fall season overabundant rainfall made all rivers run quite high. Many spilled over their banks into the Yellow River, which became ever broader, deeper and mightier. The Yellow River God was overjoyed and became cocky, imagining himself to be the mightiest body of water under heaven.
Traveling downriver, he came to the North China Sea. He looked east, but could not see the shoreline. From that moment on the River God was humbled and uttered to the God of the North China Sea, “I was boastful and overbearing, thinking I am greater than all others. Now I have seen the ocean’s might and recognize my smugness. Had I not traveled here, I would have remained unaware.”
Nevertheless, the North China Sea God remained unassuming and replied, “Between heaven and earth I am a mere small space between huge land masses. All the seven oceans taken together are nothing more than a grain of dust in the universe. I am far from being mighty.”
This story is the source for the Chinese adage, “Humbled before the great ocean,” which indicates that a person has discovered his limitations and is content with them.
According to legend, one fall season overabundant rainfall made all rivers run quite high. Many spilled over their banks into the Yellow River, which became ever broader, deeper and mightier. The Yellow River God was overjoyed and became cocky, imagining himself to be the mightiest body of water under heaven.
Traveling downriver, he came to the North China Sea. He looked east, but could not see the shoreline. From that moment on the River God was humbled and uttered to the God of the North China Sea, “I was boastful and overbearing, thinking I am greater than all others. Now I have seen the ocean’s might and recognize my smugness. Had I not traveled here, I would have remained unaware.”
Nevertheless, the North China Sea God remained unassuming and replied, “Between heaven and earth I am a mere small space between huge land masses. All the seven oceans taken together are nothing more than a grain of dust in the universe. I am far from being mighty.”
This story is the source for the Chinese adage, “Humbled before the great ocean,” which indicates that a person has discovered his limitations and is content with them.
Friday, 15 May 2009
Development of Fireworks in China
Fireworks originated in China some 2,000 years ago. The most prevalent legend has it that fireworks were discovered or invented by accident by a Chinese cook working in a field kitchen who happened to mix charcoal, sulphur and saltpeter (all commonly found in the kitchen in those days). The mixture burned and when compressed in an enclosure (a bamboo tube), the mixture exploded.
Some sources say that the discovery of fireworks occurred about 2,000 years ago, and other sources place the discovery sometime during the 9th century during the Song dynasty (960-1279), although this could be confusion between the discovery of gunpowder by the cook and the invention of the firecracker.
It had been suggested that fireworks may have originated in India, but in the October 18, 2003, online edition of The Hindu, an Indian national newspaper, the Chinese are credited with the discovery of gunpowder.
A Chinese monk named Li Tian, who lived near the city of Liu Yang in Hunan Province, is credited with the invention of firecrackers about 1,000 years ago. The Chinese people celebrate the invention of the firecracker every April 18 by offering sacrifices to Li Tian. During the Song Dynasty, the local people established a temple to worship Li Tian.
The firecrackers, both then and now, are thought to have the power to fend off evil spirits and ghosts that are frightened by the loud bangs of the firecrackers. Firecrackers are used for such purposes today at most events such as births, deaths and birthdays. Chinese New Year is a particularly popular event that is celebrated with firecrackers to usher in the new year free of the evil spirits.
To this day the Liu Yang region of Hunan Province remains the main production area in the world for fireworks. It is important to remember the geographic origin of fireworks, because often detractors of the fireworks industry say that fireworks are produced in China to take advantage of cheap labor. But the reality is that the fireworks industry existed in China long before the advent of the modern era.
Generally Marco Polo is credited with bringing the Chinese gunpowder back to Europe in the 13th century, although some accounts credit the Crusaders with bringing the black powder to Europe as they returned from their journeys.
Once in Europe, the black powder was used for military purposes, first in rockets, then in canons and guns. Italians were the first Europeans who used the black powder to manufacture fireworks. Germany was the other European country to emerge as a fireworks leader along with Italy in the 18th century. It is interesting to note that many of the leading American display companies are operated by families of Italian descent such as the Grucci family, Rozzi family, and Zambelli family.
The English were also fascinated with fireworks. Fireworks became very popular in Great Britain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. William Shakespeare mentions fireworks in his works, and fireworks were so much enjoyed by the Queen herself that she created the position of “Fire Master of England.” King James II was so pleased with the fireworks display that celebrated his coronation that he knighted his Fire Master.
Some sources say that the discovery of fireworks occurred about 2,000 years ago, and other sources place the discovery sometime during the 9th century during the Song dynasty (960-1279), although this could be confusion between the discovery of gunpowder by the cook and the invention of the firecracker.
It had been suggested that fireworks may have originated in India, but in the October 18, 2003, online edition of The Hindu, an Indian national newspaper, the Chinese are credited with the discovery of gunpowder.
A Chinese monk named Li Tian, who lived near the city of Liu Yang in Hunan Province, is credited with the invention of firecrackers about 1,000 years ago. The Chinese people celebrate the invention of the firecracker every April 18 by offering sacrifices to Li Tian. During the Song Dynasty, the local people established a temple to worship Li Tian.
The firecrackers, both then and now, are thought to have the power to fend off evil spirits and ghosts that are frightened by the loud bangs of the firecrackers. Firecrackers are used for such purposes today at most events such as births, deaths and birthdays. Chinese New Year is a particularly popular event that is celebrated with firecrackers to usher in the new year free of the evil spirits.
To this day the Liu Yang region of Hunan Province remains the main production area in the world for fireworks. It is important to remember the geographic origin of fireworks, because often detractors of the fireworks industry say that fireworks are produced in China to take advantage of cheap labor. But the reality is that the fireworks industry existed in China long before the advent of the modern era.
Generally Marco Polo is credited with bringing the Chinese gunpowder back to Europe in the 13th century, although some accounts credit the Crusaders with bringing the black powder to Europe as they returned from their journeys.
Once in Europe, the black powder was used for military purposes, first in rockets, then in canons and guns. Italians were the first Europeans who used the black powder to manufacture fireworks. Germany was the other European country to emerge as a fireworks leader along with Italy in the 18th century. It is interesting to note that many of the leading American display companies are operated by families of Italian descent such as the Grucci family, Rozzi family, and Zambelli family.
The English were also fascinated with fireworks. Fireworks became very popular in Great Britain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. William Shakespeare mentions fireworks in his works, and fireworks were so much enjoyed by the Queen herself that she created the position of “Fire Master of England.” King James II was so pleased with the fireworks display that celebrated his coronation that he knighted his Fire Master.
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Background to 'Monkey' the TV series
This famous comic fantasy novel features some of the most well known characters in Chinese fiction, and is set in the Tang Dynasty (7th Century).
The novel is a fictionalized account of the legendary Chinese Buddhist monk, Xuanzang, who made a pilgrimage to India in order to bring the Buddhist scriptures to China.
In ‘Journey to the West’ the holy but helpless and rather peevish, Tripitaka (who is the novels version of the monk Xuanzang) sets off on a pilgrimage with a motley group of helpers found for him by the Bodhisattva, Guanyin, in order to protect him on his journey.
These disciples include the mischievous Monkey King, Sun Wukong, who was thrown out of Heaven for stealing the peaches of immortality belonging to the Queen Mother of the West.
Also in Tripitaka’s band of helpers are two former celestial generals, called Pigsy and Sandy, who must redeem themselves fort their past misdemeanours.
Pigsy, a creature of huge appetites was once an immortal but was banished to earth as punishment for his drunken behaviour during a celebration with the gods. Sandy too was exciled to the mortal world, being changed into a river monster after smashing a crystal goblet belonging to the Queen Mother of Heaven.
Along the way the intrepid travellers are beset time and time again by a variety of monsters and mythical creatures who believe that if the eat the saintly Tripitaka they will achieve immortality. Each time Tripitaka is rescued from his peril by his band of followers, particularly the Monkey King who has the ability to transform into a fish, a bird or a dragon fly at will whilst wielding his magic cudgel.
The journey takes 14 years at the end of which each of the disciples is granted their place in Heaven.
The novel is a fictionalized account of the legendary Chinese Buddhist monk, Xuanzang, who made a pilgrimage to India in order to bring the Buddhist scriptures to China.
In ‘Journey to the West’ the holy but helpless and rather peevish, Tripitaka (who is the novels version of the monk Xuanzang) sets off on a pilgrimage with a motley group of helpers found for him by the Bodhisattva, Guanyin, in order to protect him on his journey.
These disciples include the mischievous Monkey King, Sun Wukong, who was thrown out of Heaven for stealing the peaches of immortality belonging to the Queen Mother of the West.
Also in Tripitaka’s band of helpers are two former celestial generals, called Pigsy and Sandy, who must redeem themselves fort their past misdemeanours.
Pigsy, a creature of huge appetites was once an immortal but was banished to earth as punishment for his drunken behaviour during a celebration with the gods. Sandy too was exciled to the mortal world, being changed into a river monster after smashing a crystal goblet belonging to the Queen Mother of Heaven.
Along the way the intrepid travellers are beset time and time again by a variety of monsters and mythical creatures who believe that if the eat the saintly Tripitaka they will achieve immortality. Each time Tripitaka is rescued from his peril by his band of followers, particularly the Monkey King who has the ability to transform into a fish, a bird or a dragon fly at will whilst wielding his magic cudgel.
The journey takes 14 years at the end of which each of the disciples is granted their place in Heaven.
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