It's all about Mandarin. And about learning the language through music, movies, and TV serials. I'll have my own personal reviews about new artists and what I'm doing to learn the language. My aim is to post at least once a week and the steps I'm taking to improve my learning. There's no better motivation to learn something than to actually write down your progress. And so, here it is! Mandarin Immersion!
I thought I'd share with you what I've been doing lately to try to learn as much Mandarin as I can by pointing out various resources that I regularly use to help in my learning. At this point, I can read a few common characters (about 50) and I can understand and speak some basic phrases.
I have already learned several songs I like and I will be enrolling in Mandarin classes at the end of March and I have several books and learning material to go through.
Whenever I can and whenever I'm on the computer (either surfing or blogging), I'll usually turn on the Internet radio station that plays Mandarin music. The site I go to connect is at Mandarin Radio and they usually play some current hits along with music that is not too old. This is the place where I get to know the music that's out there.
Unfortunately, like most other Internet radio stations, they are going to have to start paying royalties, which means they'll start limiting access unless you become a paid member. At this point, I'm not sure where I'll go to get up-to-date with Mandarin music.
If there are words or phrases (such as lyrics to songs) that are written in Chinese and I don't understand, what I'll usually do is bring up the Babel Fish page and I'll cut and paste the text I can't read and have it translated. Of course, the translations are 100% understandable, but at least you'd get the literal meaning.
Is there a Chinese word that you'd like to know how to pronounce? Check out the Chinese-English Dictionary where you can copy and paste a Chinese word, do a search, and it will return what it means and how to say it (using PinYin) along with several common uses of the word. To start the dictionary, click on the button "Start Chinese English Dictionary". Unfortunately, you can only do one Chinese character at a time.
Want to watch Mandarin TV? Well now you can! I found this site that has several live streaming TV stations that you can watch through the web - and it's free! They have several TV stations from Beijing, Taiwan, and several other cities. I've been checking out several of these TV stations and I was able to catch some talk shows, some TV dramas, and news. In fact, some of the shows have English subtitles! Check it out at Chinese Internet Television via Multilingual Books (scroll down to the bottom of the page for the list of TV stations).
Another great source of learning is a set of books I got called "Integrated Chinese". In it, it teaches you the basics and how to read and write both traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese. I have both the textbook and the workbook and I have just started to explore their online tools they have as well. I have the Level 1, Part 1 textbook and workbook, which will teach you about 350 Chinese words and how to use them. Once I complete this set of books, I may go on to Level 1, Part 2, which will introduce another 600 Chinese words. You can get these books through any online book retailer or bookstore.
Finally, you can always find Mandarin music videos or Mandarin TV shows on YouTube. In fact, you might be able to find complete TV series WITH English subtitles at YouTube, so be on the lookout. If you have trouble searching for that favorite Mandarin song, I find that it sometimes helps if you actually have the Chinese name of the singer and possibly the Chinese name of the song when you are doing your search.
I have to admit that when I first heard some of Angela Chang's (張韶涵) songs, I didn't really like them...at first. After hearing them a couple more times, I started enjoy some of her music somewhat, so I went looking for some of her music videos.
When I listened to some more of her music, again, I didn't really like them at first, but after hearing them a couple of times, I started liking them some more.
When researching a little more about her, I was surprised that she emigrated to Canada for a while and attended school here, but then went back to Taiwan to persue her acting and singing career.
Here are a few songs of her's that I heard and liked the first time I heard it - either because I liked the melody of the lyrics or I liked the opening tune of the song. Keep in mind that YouTube appears to be slowly removing her music videos from the site so the videos below may or may not play. These and other vidoes by Angela Chang can be found at my Mandarin Music Videos group at YouTube
First, here is "Wonderland Flower" (夢裡花) (Meng Li Hua):
Next is "My Favorite" (我的最愛) (Wo De Zui Ai):
Lastly, here is "Journey Of Love" (愛情旅程) (Ai Qing Lu Cheng):
First I want to say that I'm back and I've gotten myself all organized so that I can continue with regular postings. Things have been busy lately as I've been really focusing a lot of my attention to what I do for a living.
But I'm a firm believer in having balance in your life and I think this blog helps balance my own life and I've neglected it for too long.
Anyways, David Tao (陶喆) is coming to Toronto for a concert and I've got tickets! Late last year I started listening to some of his songs and I really like how he doesn't try to be someone he isn't.
Most of his music is of a slower variety - some R&B mixed in with some slow rock so I'm looking forward to the concert which is being held here in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre on Thursday March 29 for his "Love Can World Tour".
And like I said, I'll be back with regular postings so this blog can get moving again. One thing to note - I've noticed more and more Mandarin music videos being removed from YouTube and it's making things very difficult to either post them in this blog (for fear of video removal) and for the Music Video Group I have going on at YouTube.
Needless to say, it's making my source of Mandarin music a little more hard to come by.
Like I said, this blog is back up and running, so stay tuned for more posts!
I only recently started listening to some of Elva Hsiao's (蕭亞軒) songs and I found that I really liked most of her songs (which is hard to say these days). Usually with most artists I've heard, I'd like one or two songs, but then I find I don't like any of their other songs...not so with Elva.
I must have heard 10 of Elva's songs back to back and I was surprised that I like each and every one of them!
Her albums are now at the top of my "Must Have" list.
Here are three of her songs that I simply can't stop listening to.
The first has a great funky vibe that I love - here is "Suddenly Thinking Of You" (突然想起你):
Next is "His & Her Story" (他和她的故事):
Lastly, this is "Kiss" (吻):
Remember, all videos I post up on this blogsite can be found in the YouTube group I created and can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/group/mandarin
I am constantly adding more and more Mandarin music videos that I like to the group, so be sure to visit often!
Hey folks. I've been real busy lately, but I just wanted to let you folks know that I've just set up a new group in YouTube where I have collected over 100 Mandarin music videos. The group can be found here:
I've collected music videos by Jay Chou, Jolin Tsai, S.H.E., F.I.R., Nan Quan Mama, Elva Hsiao, Angela Chang, Chen Lin, Angela An, Tank, Vicki Zhao, and Fish Leong. I'll continue to add more music videos to music I like over time.
Please let me know what you think via comments either here or at the group message board at YouTube. If you have a song suggestion or an artist suggestion, let me know and I'll have a listen and if I like it, then I'll add it to the group as well.
Sorry for the absence...I've just been real busy trying to get my act together for the New Year.
Anyways, lately I've been listening to more and more of Jolin Tsai's (蔡依林) music and I've been starting to like her more and more.
Here are a couple of sad songs from her album J-Game. So if you've just broken up, miss someone, or you have a crush on someone you can't have, here are some songs for you...
Here is "Repeat Note" (反覆記號) (Fan Fu Ji Hao):
And here is "Missing You" (好想你) (Hao Xiang Ni):
This is "Sky" (天空) (Tian Kong):
Finally, a song not on the J-Game album, but from her Dancing Diva album - it's "Pretence" or "Pretending" (假装) (Jia Zhuang):
Here's the music video for one of the songs I really like off of her J-Game album (which I recently bought). For some reason, I really like any song that sounds "Chinesey" (I don't think that's a word!). What I mean by that is that I like songs that use classical Chinese instruments...and this song uses them a lot.
I've seen a lot of other Jolin's music videos and I didn't really think she was that hot or pretty (I know, some of you are probably asking me if I'm blind), but after watching the video for this song, I'd have to say that my opinion has changed...all I can say is that she looks real pretty in pink!
I was browsing around and I happen to come across two teaser trailers for two movies...the interesting thing about it was that both happened to have the word "door" in it (門) and I was inspired to look for and post.
The first trailer is for Derek Yee's new film Protege (門徒). It stars Andy Lau, Daniel Wu, Louis Koo and Anita Yuen. This movie has a sort of "Infernal Affairs" feel to it, though you can't really get much out of the trailer. This movie is due out for release in February 2007.
The second trailer is for Li Shaohong's horror flick "The Door" (門). This movie finished filming earlier this year and was released December 1, 2006. There was a fairly hefty budget for this film, but knowing the kind of horror movies that have been coming out of late, I'm not going to be expecting much from this film.
"The Banquet" Will Not Compete At Golden Globe Awards
Zhang Ziyi will not be a nominee for best actress for her role in "The Banquet" for the Golden Globe Awards because the film did not participate in the competition. The distributors for the film were asked why they didn't want to be included in the Golden Globes, but refused to answer. With "The Banquet" out of the running, it makes "Curse Of The Golden Flower" a stronger competitor.
The #1 Chinese celebrity mansion belongs to Jet Li. The mansion is being built near Shanghai, near Jet Li's wife's family and took two years to construct. The mammoth mansion consists of three separate buildings and is close to 54,000 square feet! The property will have underground passages. Story courtesy: CriEnglish: Jet Li's Mansion The Number One In Celebrity World
Top 10 Hottest Females In China
This list was compiled by a newspaper in China. Click on the link to view the complete list. The list includes familiar names such as Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi, and Zhao Wei. Also check out what the Chinese people in China have to say about the women on this list.
Joey Yung almost had a large lighting pole strike her on her face while filming an advertisement. While filming on a glass surface, the light pole started coming down and almost hit her face - fortunately crew members were able to catch the pole before any damage was done. Joey shook it off and stated "Before I was tired, but now I'm wide awake!" Story courtesy: CriEnglish: Joey Yung Nearly Disfigured In Accident
Cathy Tsui & Lee Ka Shing To Marry
Actress/model Cathy Tsui will be marrying wealth heir Lee Ka Shing in Australia this year. Not to be confused with Li Ka Shing, Lee Ka Shing will be the successor to the Henderson Land Developement Company. Their relationship has been a high profile one in an on again, off again relationship for the past two years.
Chow Yun-Fat To Play A Role In Upcoming Pirates Of The Caribbean III
Next year in May, the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End will be released. Be on the lookout for Chow Yun-Fat, who will play a Chinese pirate Captain Sao Feng. Keith Richards (from the band Rolling Stones) will also make an appearance in the film.
While filming in Australia, Fiona Leung was injured in a serious car accident that sent her to the ICU. She was in a van carrying film equipment and several of the crew, who were also injured in the accident. As of this writing, Fiona's condition has stabilized.
Lydia Sum Flies Back To Canada To Celebrate Mother's Birthday, Christmas
Lydia Sum has flown back to Canada to be with her mother on her birthday and to celebrate Christmas. Lydia's daughter did not accompany her. Lydia Sum, who is recovering from a serious illness, responded to questions only from TVB's official crew members.
Tony Leung Trying To Pick Up Mandarin For Ang Lee's New Movie
Tony Leung said that he spent 2 months trying to learn the script for Ang Lee's new movie "Lust, Caution", which is all in Mandarin. Tony's native tongue is Cantonese, so he had to spend a significant amount of time trying to memorize and learn Mandarin in the script.
The very first song I learned the lyrics to was S.H.E.'s song 戀人未滿 (Not Yet Lovers) (Lian Ren Wei Man) and it was off of their album "Together" (album cover is at left).
The reason I learned the lyrics to the song was because after hearing this song many times, I just felt compelled to learn what they were singing. I managed to find their lyrics from S.H.E Angelic Fansite. That site has everything you need to know about the group, including lyrics to all of their songs in Chinese, Pin Yin, and English!
This is basically how I'm learning Mandarin - I find songs I like, find the lyrics and try to learn the song. By doing this, I can slowly pick up how to read Chinese characters, learn how to say them (well, sort of), and know the meaning of the words.
And so, below is the video for the song 戀人未滿 (Not Yet Lovers) (Lian Ren Wei Man), which by the way, still remains my favorite Mandarin song. I've also included the lyrics (which can be found at S.H.E. Angelic Fansite) below. These lyrics are part of my big collection of lyrics that I'm constantly adding to.
So go ahead and play the video and follow along with the lyrics below (and hopefully you'll see how I'm learning Mandarin!).
Here is 戀人未滿 (Not Yet Lovers) (Lian Ren Wei Man):
為什麼只 和 你 能聊 一 整夜 wei shen me zhi he ni neng liao yi zheng ye Why is it that I only can talk to you for the whole night
為什 麼才 道別就 又想再見面 wei shen me cai dao bie jiu you xiang zai jian mian why is it that after we leave I feel like meeting you again
在朋友 裡面就數 你 最 特 別 zai peng you li mian, jiu shu ni zui te bie Out of all my friends, you're the most special
總讓我 覺 得 很親很貼 zong rang wo jue de hen qin hen tian I feel that you're the closest to me
為什麼 你 在 意 誰陪我逛街 we shen me ni zai yi shuo pei wo guang jie, Why do you care who I go shopping with,
為什麼 你 擔心誰對我放電 wei shen me ni dan xin shui dui wo fang dian why are you worried that someone would try to seduce me
你 說你 對 我比 別 人多 一 些 ni shuo ni dui wo, bi bie ren duo yi xie, You said you treat me more than others,
卻又不說是多哪 一 些 que you bu shuo shi duo na yi xie but as to where the "more" is, you wouldn't say
友達 以上戀人未滿甜 蜜心 煩 you da yi shang, lian ren wei man, tian mi xin fan, We're more than friends, but not yet lovers,
愉悅混亂我們以 後 yu yue hun luan, wo men yi hou our hearts are sweet and happy. In future,
會變怎樣 hui bian zen yang, What will happen to us,
我 迫 不 及 待想知道答 案 再靠近 一 點點 wo po bu ji dai xiang zhi dao da an, zai kao jin yi dian dian I can't wait for find out the answer. Come closer a little
就讓你牽手再勇敢一點點 jiu rang ni qian shou, zai yong gan yi dian dian, Then I'll let you hold my hand.
我就 跟你 走你 還等什麼 wo jiu gen ni zou, ni hai deng shen me Be braver a little and I'll go with you. What are you waiting for
時間 已經不多再下 去 shi jian yi jing bu duo, zai xia qu, There isn't much time left, if we continue like this
只 好 只做朋友再向前 一點點 zhi hao zhi zuo peng you, zai xiang qian yi dian dian we can only be friends. Come forward a little
我就 會點頭再衝動一點點 wo jiu hui dian tou, zai cong dong yi dian dian, And I'll nod my head, be more pro-active and
我就 不 閃躲不過三個字 wo jiu bu shan duo, bu guo san ge zi I won't hide, it's only three words
別猶豫這麼 久只 要你說出口 bie you yu zhe me jiu, zhi yao ni shuo chu kou, Don't hesitate too long, as long as you can say it,
你 就 能擁有我為什麼 ni jiu neng yong you wo, wei shen me you'll have me. Why is it
你 寂 寞 只 想要我 陪 ni ji mo zhi xiang yao wo pei, That when you're lonely you only want my companion?
為什麼我難過只 肯讓 你 安 慰 wei shen me wo nan guo zhi ken rang ni an wei, Why is it that when I'm sad I'm only willing to have you console me?
我們心 裡面 wo men xin li mian In our hearts
明明都有感覺 ming ming dou you gan jue, There's definitely a feeling,
為什麼不 敢面對為什麼 wei shen me bu gan mian dui, wei shen me why don't we face it.Why is it
你 寂 寞 只 想要我 陪 ni ji mo zhi xiang yao wo pei, That when you're lonely you only want my companion?
為什麼我難過只 肯讓 你 安 慰 wei shen me wo nan guo zhi ken rang ni an wei, Why is it that when I'm sad I'm only willing to have you console me?
我們心 裡面 wo men xin li mian In our hearts
明明都有感覺 ming ming dou you gan jue, There's definitely a feeling,
為什麼不 敢面對 wei shen me bu gan mian dui why don't we face it.
友達 以上戀人未滿甜 蜜心 煩 you da yi shang, lian ren wei man, tian mi xin fan, We're more than friends, but not yet lovers,
愉悅混亂我們以 後 yu yue hun luan, wo men yi hou our hearts are sweet and happy. In future,
會變怎樣 hui bian zen yang, What will happen to us,
我 迫 不 及 待想知道答 案 再靠近 一 點點 wo po bu ji dai xiang zhi dao da an, zai kao jin yi dian dian I can't wait for find out the answer. Come closer a little
就讓你牽手再勇敢一點點 jiu rang ni qian shou, zai yong gan yi dian dian, Then I'll let you hold my hand.
我就 跟你 走你 還等什麼 wo jiu gen ni zou, ni hai deng shen me Be braver a little and I'll go with you. What are you waiting for
時間 已經不多再下 去 shi jian yi jing bu duo, zai xia qu, There isn't much time left, if we continue like this
只 好 只做朋友再向前 一點點 zhi hao zhi zuo peng you, zai xiang qian yi dian dian we can only be friends. Come forward a little
我就 會點頭再衝動一點點 wo jiu hui dian tou, zai cong dong yi dian dian, And I'll nod my head, be more pro-active and
我就 不 閃躲不過三個字 wo jiu bu shan duo, bu guo san ge zi I won't hide, it's only three words
別猶豫這麼 久只 要你說出口 bie you yu zhe me jiu, zhi yao ni shuo chu kou, Don't hesitate too long, as long as you can say it,
你 就 能擁有我 ni jiu neng yong you wo, you'll have me.
我不相信都動 了 感情 wo bu xiang xin, dou dong le gan qing I don't believe, we already touched each others' hearts,
卻到 不 了 que dao bu liao yet it hasn't transformed into
愛 情那 麼貼 心卻 進 不了 ai qing, na me tie xin que jin bu liao, Love, that dedication still cannot enter the
心 底 你能不能快一點決 定 xin di, ni neng bu neng kuai yi dian jue ding bottom of (your) heart, can you quickly decide
對我說我 愛 你 dui wo shuo wo ai ni And tell me "I love you"
再靠近 一 點點 zai kao jin yi dian dian Come closer a little
就讓你牽手再勇敢一點點 jiu rang ni qian shou, zai yong gan yi dian dian, Then I'll let you hold my hand.
我就 跟你 走你 還等什麼 wo jiu gen ni zou, ni hai deng shen me Be braver a little and I'll go with you. What are you waiting for
時間 已經不多再下 去 shi jian yi jing bu duo, zai xia qu, There isn't much time left, if we continue like this
只 好 只做朋友再向前 一點點 zhi hao zhi zuo peng you, zai xiang qian yi dian dian we can only be friends. Come forward a little
我就 會點頭再衝動一點點 wo jiu hui dian tou, zai cong dong yi dian dian, And I'll nod my head, be more pro-active and
我就 不 閃躲不過三個字 wo jiu bu shan duo, bu guo san ge zi I won't hide, it's only three words
別猶豫這麼 久只 要你說出口 bie you yu zhe me jiu, zhi yao ni shuo chu kou, Don't hesitate too long, as long as you can say it,
你 就 能擁有我為什麼 ni jiu neng yong you wo, wei shen me you'll have me. Why is it
只 要你說出口你 就 能擁有我 zhi yao ni shuo chu kou, ni jiu neng yong you wo as long as you can say it, you'll have me.
When I first started listening to F.I.R's album Unlimited (which I bought two weekends ago), I didn't really think much of them. But it seemed like the more I listened to that album, the more I began liking them.
Maybe it was because the first few times I listened to the Unlimited CD, I wasn't really paying attention to it.
Unlike Nan Quan Mama's (南拳媽媽) CD, you can tell that F.I.R's songs are a little more serious in nature. In most of Nan Quan Mama's songs, you can tell they were just having fun and that a lot of their songs were bubbly and happy.
F.I.R.'s songs on the otherhand, seem a little more darker, but I really love the music in their songs. I am now really interested in getting the other two CD's they have out. Their first CD called "Fairlyland In Reality" and their new CD "Flight Tribe" (see album covers at left).
Here are three songs from their album "Unlimited" (which I bought two weekends ago). The last song is another song from F.I.R. that I really like and is from their first CD (which I don't have).
The first song is 刺鳥 (Killing Bird) (Ci Niao):
The next song is 把愛放開 (Let Love Go) (Ba Ai Fang Kai):
The last song from the "Unlimited" album is Love*3:
Another song that I really love that I heard on Mandarin Internet radio was 我們的愛 (Our Love) (Wo Men De Ai). This one is off of their first CD "Fairyland In Reality):
Photographer Leslie Kee has photographed 300 artists, mainly Asian, in a photobook that will be made available for sale. All proceeds go to charity for Tsunami relief and other various charities. Many popular Chinese stars are in the photobook including Aaron Kwok, Cecilia Cheung, Gong Li, Joey Yeung, Jolin Tsai, Sammi Cheng, Tony Leung, Twins and Zhang Ziyi. Most of the photos are close to being adult in nature (i.e. they show a lot of skin, many are topless photos). Click on the link below to see some of the photos.
A Bruce Lee theme park will be built in Shunde, in the Guangdong province of China. It will contain a statue and a memorial for the late action star. It is being built with a $25.5 million budget and is expected to be opened in three years.
Hacken Lee held his wedding earlier in the week and his invitation consisted of a "Treasure Box" that held a cassette tape. Guests were told to bring the invitation, as they were to come away with "Treasure" at the end of the wedding. Click on the link below to read the details and to view photos of the wedding invitations.
On November 28th, Hacken Lee wed his long-time girlfriend Emily Lo in a ceremony that included Andy Lau, Priscilla Chan, Shirley Kwan, Eric Tsang and Nat Chan as guests. Paula Tsui and Jacky Cheung were also reported at attending. The banquet was held at Hotel International for 46 tables. For more photos and information, click on the links below
Zhang Yu Blows Whistle On Those Who Demand Sex For Roles
Actress Zhang Yu blew the whistle on filmmakers, directors and casting agents, who demand sex for roles in dramas and films. Zhang used the Internet to make her message heard and to expose this "hidden rule" that exploits aspiring young actresses. Zhang also reported that all her roles were obtained by sleeping with someone of importance.
Since getting Nan Quan Mama's (南拳媽媽) "Color Palette!" album over the weekend, I can't stop listening to their CD! And to think, I wasn't going to buy this CD, but then at the last moment, I decided to get it.
This CD is probably one of the best CD's I've gotten in a while.
Below are the videos for 初戀粉色系 (A Series Of Pink Crushes) (Chu Lian Fen Se Xi), 離家不遠 (Not Far From Home) (Li Jia Bu Yuan), and 悄悄告訴她 (Tell Her Secretly) (Qiao Qiao Gao Su Ta).
Here is 初戀粉色系 (A Series Of Pink Crushes) (Chu Lian Fen Se Xi):
This is 離家不遠 (Not Far From Home) (Li Jia Bu Yuan):
And finally 悄悄告訴她 (Tell Her Secretly) (Qiao Qiao Gao Su Ta):
Here is the trailer for the movie "The Knot" (云水谣), starring Chen Kun, Li Bingbing, Vivian Hsu, Chang Gua Ahleh, Isabella Leong, Yang Kuei Mei and Chin Han. The story is about a young couple in the 1940's that get separated during turbulent times. This movie opens December 1st, 2006 in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Screenings on test audiences were very positive and distribution of this film will be as great as for the movie "Curse of the Golden Flower".
Over the weekend I got a chance to get some CDs. Unfortunately some of the albums that were high on my "to-get" list were hard to find, so I settled on the following CDs:
Jay Chou - "Still Fantasy". I've been meaning to get this CD a lot sooner. There were only two songs on this CD that I heard before buying this CD: 千里之外 "Faraway" (Qian Li Zhi Wai) and 白色風車 "White Windmill" (Bai Se Feng Che). After listening to this CD a couple of times, I'd say I'm quite happy with the purchase.
Dao Lang - "Thank You - Greatest Hits". This is the first mainland Chinese album I've bought and I've read a lot about this singer. I know he's very popular on the mainland and I've heard one or two songs from this singer. I still need to listen to this CD more for me to begin liking it - to me, it seemed like most of the tracks on this CD were very similar...then again, it could just be his rough, rugged voice. I'll try to listen to it more.
F.I.R. - "Unlimited". I heard a few songs by F.I.R. and I rather enjoyed their music. When I saw this one at the store, I wasn't too sure if it was their newest album...but when I got home, I realized there was a newer album than this one. There were only a few tracks that I liked, but I think I'll have to listen to it more before I like it.
12 Girls Band - "White Christmas". I heard this CD while I was at a Chinese grocery store last year and I tried to look for this CD, but couldn't. Well, I found it on the weekend and got it. So far so good! I really like the 12 Girls Band version of many of the songs. No doubt I'll be playing this CD when we have guests over during the holidays.
Nan Quan Mama - "Color Palette!". I picked this one up at the last minute and actually I wasn't going to buy this at the last minute. BUT, after listening to this CD, I think it was the best CD out of all the CDs I bought over the weekend. There were many familiar songs I heard on the Internet radio and there were quite a few songs I never heard, but instantly liked! I would probably say this is the BEST CD out of all the CD's I currently have!
Jolin Tsai - "J-Game". When I went CD shopping, I knew I had to get a Jolin Tsai CD and I ended up getting this one. I was actually looking for the "J-Top" CD, but I think I got it confused with this CD. I'm glad there were a few familiar tracks on this CD and there were also a few songs on this CD that I hadn't heard, but instantly liked. This was also a good buy.
12 Girls Band - "The Best Of 12 Girls Band". Since I love any song with Chinese instruments, I figured that I'd get one other 12 Girls Band CD. After listening to this CD a few times, I really got to liking it a lot. I think next time I go CD/DVD shopping, I'll get the DVD of the 12 Girls Band in concert.
I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada to parents who can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Hakka, and English. As I grew up, my parents spoke mostly Cantonese and I learned to speak a little of it.
I dropped out of Chinese school when my parents sent me when I was younger, but now I regret that I didn't stay. Lately I've been trying to pick up Mandarin through movies, shows and by learning the lyrics to popular Mandarin music.
I thought I'd share with you what I've been doing lately to try to learn as much Mandarin as I can by pointing out various resources that I regularly use to help in my learning. At this point, I can read a few common characters (about 50) and I can understand and speak some basic phrases.
Whenever I can and whenever I'm on the computer (either surfing or blogging), I'll usually turn on the Internet radio station that plays Mandarin music. The site I go to connect is at Mandarin Radio and they usually play some current hits along with music that is not too old. This is the place where I get to know the music that's out there.
If there are words or phrases (such as lyrics to songs) that are written in Chinese and I don't understand, what I'll usually do is bring up the Babel Fish page and I'll cut and paste the text I can't read and have it translated. Of course, the translations are 100% understandable, but at least you'd get the literal meaning.
Is there a Chinese word that you'd like to know how to pronounce? Check out the Chinese-English Dictionary where you can copy and paste a Chinese word, do a search, and it will return what it means and how to say it (using PinYin) along with several common uses of the word. To start the dictionary, click on the button "Start Chinese English Dictionary". Unfortunately, you can only do one Chinese character at a time.
Want to watch Mandarin TV? Well now you can! I found this site that has several live streaming TV stations that you can watch through the web - and it's free! They have several TV stations from Beijing, Taiwan, and several other cities. I've been checking out several of these TV stations and I was able to catch some talk shows, some TV dramas, and news. In fact, some of the shows have English subtitles! Check it out at Chinese Internet Television via Multilingual Books (scroll down to the bottom of the page for the list of TV stations).
Another great source of learning is a set of books I got called "Integrated Chinese". In it, it teaches you the basics and how to read and write both traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese. I have both the textbook and the workbook and I have just started to explore their online tools they have as well. I have the Level 1, Part 1 textbook and workbook, which will teach you about 350 Chinese words and how to use them. Once I complete this set of books, I may go on to Level 1, Part 2, which will introduce another 600 Chinese words. You can get these books through any online book retailer or bookstore.
Finally, you can always find Mandarin music videos or Mandarin TV shows on YouTube. In fact, you might be able to find complete TV series WITH English subtitles at YouTube, so be on the lookout. If you have trouble searching for that favorite Mandarin song, I find that it sometimes helps if you actually have the Chinese name of the singer and possibly the Chinese name of the song when you are doing your search.
