Language is an infinitely fascinating concept to me. It's one of the basic fundamental building blocks of life along with time etc...Right now language occupies my thoughts constantly. I'm teaching language, I'm learning language, and when I'm not doing either I'm either communicating by language or thinking about how I can teach language better, and learn language more effectively... It's kind of all consuming. Sometimes I'm teaching my students, and I put myself in their place imagining how useful the lesson is... and then I'm a chinese language student and I'm both analysing my teacher's teaching techniques as well as identifying things that I could use in my classes, and of course trying to actually learn the language.
I'm also reading about language - particularly the study of languages - linguistics and similar fields like semiotics - the study of signs. Language is essentially a set of signs that signify things to those who can understand. It's through language that we create a shared understanding of meaning. This is very academic and I'm actually re-reading some university texts I've previously studied in my communication and cultural analysis subjects at university. I know, nerd, nerd, nerd...
One of the things I actually ask my students from time to time, is "how do you learn a language?" - ie what works for you? and do you have any tips. One approach I'm trying out at the moment is to paste sheets of Chinese language all throughout the house - mostly in places like the shower, toilet and kitchen... I think it's helping.
28 November 2006
22 November 2006
cold and rainy
Blogger is back and working again after the 40,000 - 80,000 reported 'scanner' employees spent the last three weeks checking for inappropriate posts. At least that's what I can only assume. So evidently, my blog has passed the test? Because it's still alive.
There have been many things I could have mentioned here over the last 3 weeks, and some of it I've put in emails and other forums etc. Tracey has been keeping her blog up to date, so check hers out as well. I'm hoping to make more of an effort to phone a few people and not spend as much time online. But now I'm working every night of the week (except Saturday and Sunday of course), so it will be more difficult to find a good time to phone.
It's been really cold and rainy for the past three or four days. But everyone says it will get really cold when the rain goes away. Right now, I think our maximum daily temperatures couldn't be any higher than about 12/13 degrees. We've finally worked out how to run the air conditioners as heaters at home which is helping a bit. But I have a big list of necessary clothing items to buy: gloves, scarf/s, beanie, slippers (that's right, not afraid of 'em), raincoat for my bike... I bought a heavy duty jacket the other day. It's kind of a cross between a military overcoat and one of those horrible jackaroo Australian jackets - what were they called again?
My Chinese is getting a little better. I now have 3 morning lessons a week with a Chinese student tutour and am also trying out a lot more stuff with the 2 Chinese staff here at work, and all the other people I meet in our daily life.
The other day I bought the complete series of Black Adder on DVD. My goal was to convince Tracey that Rowan Atkinson is funny. Tracey only knows him as Mr Bean and as that feeble wimpy character he often plays in movies (largely based on Mr Bean). Unfortunately, we sat down and watched the whole first series - which is really ordinary, and no where near as funny as series 2, 3 and 4. So now she's even less convinced...
There have been many things I could have mentioned here over the last 3 weeks, and some of it I've put in emails and other forums etc. Tracey has been keeping her blog up to date, so check hers out as well. I'm hoping to make more of an effort to phone a few people and not spend as much time online. But now I'm working every night of the week (except Saturday and Sunday of course), so it will be more difficult to find a good time to phone.
It's been really cold and rainy for the past three or four days. But everyone says it will get really cold when the rain goes away. Right now, I think our maximum daily temperatures couldn't be any higher than about 12/13 degrees. We've finally worked out how to run the air conditioners as heaters at home which is helping a bit. But I have a big list of necessary clothing items to buy: gloves, scarf/s, beanie, slippers (that's right, not afraid of 'em), raincoat for my bike... I bought a heavy duty jacket the other day. It's kind of a cross between a military overcoat and one of those horrible jackaroo Australian jackets - what were they called again?
My Chinese is getting a little better. I now have 3 morning lessons a week with a Chinese student tutour and am also trying out a lot more stuff with the 2 Chinese staff here at work, and all the other people I meet in our daily life.
The other day I bought the complete series of Black Adder on DVD. My goal was to convince Tracey that Rowan Atkinson is funny. Tracey only knows him as Mr Bean and as that feeble wimpy character he often plays in movies (largely based on Mr Bean). Unfortunately, we sat down and watched the whole first series - which is really ordinary, and no where near as funny as series 2, 3 and 4. So now she's even less convinced...
15 November 2006
censorship II
"woh woh, woopsy daisy"
From Murray:
"In China, we don't have software blocking Internet sites. Sometimes we have trouble accessing them. But that's a different problem...I've heard people say that the BBC is not available in China or that it's blocked. I'm sure I don't know why people say this kind of thing. We do not have restrictions at all."
-- Chinese official at UN summit in Athens, denying the existence of the well-documented Great Firewall of China
(by the way, this image isn't related, it's just funny)
05 November 2006
the latest
The latest news with this site is that Blogger is still down - meaning we can post, but can't view our sites or other sites... It's really annoying. There is a way around it by going to one of the illegal sites that let's you search for anthing on the net (blocked or unblocked), but these are often slow and unfriendly and usually I can't be bothered with the whole process. So I don't think I'll post much until it's back and running again.
About 3 weeks ago Tracey and I bought bicyles, which has been a great investment. I've been riding to and from work everyday which is lots of fun and helps me stay fit.
I'm starting to become more aware of the grime and dirtyness of this place. I often go outside and within a few hours feel dirty - dirty hands and face and your clothes can look and feel a bit dirty. The pollution - hazy sky thing has been a bit more noticeable over the last month. There's not really bad smells in the air, but there must be a lot of pollution. Although I'm sure it's nothing like some of the industrial Chinese cities.
The Chinese language is improving ever so slightly. I get frustrated at times that I'm not already an expert!! But, have to reassure myself that it's a long process to learn a language and it won't happen over night. I feel that my listening is improving, but my speaking is very ordinary. I now have a tutor (a Chinese student) who comes to our place 3 mornings a week, so I'm sure this will help me to improve. I'm also seriously considering enrolling in the university course which is 5 mornings a week for 4 hours each day, but I don't think this starts until February.
Other than all of that, we're both looking forward to going to Hokaido, Japan to ski for the Christmas week, which isn't all that far away.
About 3 weeks ago Tracey and I bought bicyles, which has been a great investment. I've been riding to and from work everyday which is lots of fun and helps me stay fit.
I'm starting to become more aware of the grime and dirtyness of this place. I often go outside and within a few hours feel dirty - dirty hands and face and your clothes can look and feel a bit dirty. The pollution - hazy sky thing has been a bit more noticeable over the last month. There's not really bad smells in the air, but there must be a lot of pollution. Although I'm sure it's nothing like some of the industrial Chinese cities.
The Chinese language is improving ever so slightly. I get frustrated at times that I'm not already an expert!! But, have to reassure myself that it's a long process to learn a language and it won't happen over night. I feel that my listening is improving, but my speaking is very ordinary. I now have a tutor (a Chinese student) who comes to our place 3 mornings a week, so I'm sure this will help me to improve. I'm also seriously considering enrolling in the university course which is 5 mornings a week for 4 hours each day, but I don't think this starts until February.
Other than all of that, we're both looking forward to going to Hokaido, Japan to ski for the Christmas week, which isn't all that far away.
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