Language

So simple that any child can learn it

JDM080312yangjiechi.jpg
Piece of cake

You may not be aware, but Chinese is one of the world's easiest languages to learn!

This news comes to us by way of China's foreign minister, Yang Jiechi (杨洁篪), who spoke at a press conference this morning.

Perhaps Yang was trying for a bit of levity in response to a question about relations between Russia and China. Here's how he closed his point on the need for expanded cultural exchanges (translated from the Chinese transcript):

There are many people studying Chinese now. I hope that all of you reporters, and the other ladies and gentlemen in attendance, can take up the study of Chinese. I believe that Chinese is one of the easiest languages in the world to learn. Otherwise, how can you explain why 1.3 bllion people have chosen it as their mother tongue?

That press conference also contained this gem of a question, which was mocked on Teng Yun's blog:

China Radio International: In recent years, China's foreign ministry has placed increased emphasis on economic diplomacy and public diplomacy. On the one hand, this assists Chinese enterprises in going abroad, while on the other, it invites common people to join the foreign ministry. How do you handle these two areas of work? What further plans do you have? Second, on the issue of individuality, we have seen you on the TV performing Suzhou ballad singing with other CPPCC members, leaving a deep impression on us all. Could you address for us some of your leisure-time activities? In addition, the media often describes you as refined yet farsighted, and humorous without sacrificing gravity. We want to know whether this is an outgrowth of your personality, or if it is a diplomatic character that has been formed over many years. What sort of diplomat do you see yourself to be? Thank you.

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There are currently 9 Comments for So simple that any child can learn it.

Comments on So simple that any child can learn it

I see the CRI correspondent has retained much that they learned during a lengthy posting in Arslikhan, as Private Eye used to term it. Order of the Brown Nose in the next media awards.

That may be the case, Jim, but as Tim Johnson points out, the guy only meets the Beijing press once a year, so some of those reporters must be positively giddy with excitement.

I think Yang is right. If Yang can learn the language, anybody can.

This must be part of Yang Jiechi's stump speech--I heard him use the same "Chinese is so easy..." line at a speech in America, when he was the ambassador years ago (he meant it as a joke). I'm just surprised to see he hasn't got any new lines after all these years!

Stupid, this Yang guy is just stupid. However I do agree Chinese is much easier than Korean and Hindi.

Uh... how about it was a joke?

As much as I love a good backward comment at a political shindig, are you guys sure that this wasn't just a joke that didn't come out in the translation?

I saw the conference and this guy, was in fact, pretty sharp and did pack a bit of a 'you mo' (sense of humour). In fact, I was quite taken a back at how directly he did try and tackle some pretty tricky questions.

2. errors:

1. not 1.3b speak mandarin, it's about 850m. 40% of Chinese speak no mandarin at all.

2. It's not everybody's mothertongue. Firstly see above, 2ndly most Chinese' mothertoungue is a local language. Mandarin will be their 2nd language.

But I agree that it's not that difficult. At least words don't change, go went gone etc.

Thanks for the reference. The following is now up on Beijing Sounds...

1.3 billion people speak WHAT as a mother tongue?!

On Mandarin learning challenges, the definition of language, and the best taxi-driver critique of hànzì ever recorded.

You’ll be forgiven if you missed the pins-and-needles press conference of foreign minister (wàijiāobùzhǎng, 外交部长) Yáng Jiéchí 杨洁篪 a couple of weeks ago (hat tip to Joel Martinsen at Danwei).

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