Yummy Chocolate Chip Ice-cream!!! Friday, 27 September 2013
Ice-cream and you traits
Once again, here is an interesting news connecting food with your personalities. There is also a Chinese version for this news. Being a lover of the flavor named chocolate chip, I happily discover that the Englsih version describes me as "generous, competent, and a go-getter", while the Chinese version describes me as 自信野心型 (confident and aggresive) and 強人 (in my case, maybe strong woman?). When comparing both, I just feel myself being fit into the English version rather than the Chinese version. Why? Because I am not as aggressive or confident as the Chinese version describes. Rather,these would be the kind of traits I would like to possess (which means I am NOT YET such kind of person). I also found that the Chinese version misses one trait which the English one mentions: generous. This is also a trait which I think I possess. From the omission of such trait, a fact can be told: not all translations we see on the famous websites are perfect. Something might be omitted for the sake of perfect categorization (in this case: chocolate chips are equalized with ambitious group). Which flavour of ice-cream does you like most? Do you feel yourselves being fit into what both versions said? Have fun! Share your results if you like!!
Yummy Chocolate Chip Ice-cream!!!
Yummy Chocolate Chip Ice-cream!!! 
Thursday, 26 September 2013
Translation and Food - Chinglish?
If you are taking TRA209/3209, engrish.com should not be new to you. If you aren't, don't worry, you can keep reading without any problem.
While most entries on engrish.com are funny and ungrammatical English, this one is not exactly the same as others. If you can read the source text, you can tell that it is a fairly literal translation and the product is grammatically correct. Yet, it is personally picked by the English speakers from engrish.com to be featured. Why? Let's find out what is 功夫牛排 first.
功夫牛排 consists of four Chinese characters, which form two nouns, with the first one 功夫 (Kung Fu) being the modifier for the second one 牛排 (steak). That doesn't help understanding why they have to call them Kung Fu steak when those cows (or steaks) cannot (and could not) do Chinese Kung Fu.
According to a restaurant offering this dish:
The most important part is in bold and underlined. It means "the cook must be experienced and skilled". If you cannot read Chinese, you must be wondering where the Kung Fu went. In this brief translation, I have used experienced for 經驗 and skilled for 功夫, which is a word with multiple meanings based on the context in Chinese.
Judging from the information we have so far, it looks like the translator is to be blamed. However, is that really the case? Today in the lecture of TRA209/3209 we learn that there is liberty in translating advertisements to make them attractive and easy to remember. While this is not actually an advertisement, translators in this scenario are at least expected to make it appealing, not puzzling, for the audience.
Is it really the translator's fault for turning this into a joke? Can you think of a better translation to introduce this dish to non-Chinese? Let us know what you think by posting comments here!
功夫牛排 consists of four Chinese characters, which form two nouns, with the first one 功夫 (Kung Fu) being the modifier for the second one 牛排 (steak). That doesn't help understanding why they have to call them Kung Fu steak when those cows (or steaks) cannot (and could not) do Chinese Kung Fu.
According to a restaurant offering this dish:
[經典功夫牛排]煎製牛排有很多講究，既要能夠將牛肉表面迅速加熱，產生大量的香料分子，又不能使它們的細胞壁破裂，這樣，更多的香氣就會在客人口中爆裂。這就需要廚師的經驗和功夫了。
The most important part is in bold and underlined. It means "the cook must be experienced and skilled". If you cannot read Chinese, you must be wondering where the Kung Fu went. In this brief translation, I have used experienced for 經驗 and skilled for 功夫, which is a word with multiple meanings based on the context in Chinese.
Judging from the information we have so far, it looks like the translator is to be blamed. However, is that really the case? Today in the lecture of TRA209/3209 we learn that there is liberty in translating advertisements to make them attractive and easy to remember. While this is not actually an advertisement, translators in this scenario are at least expected to make it appealing, not puzzling, for the audience.
Is it really the translator's fault for turning this into a joke? Can you think of a better translation to introduce this dish to non-Chinese? Let us know what you think by posting comments here!
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Non Resident Indian (NRI) grooms preferred than Resident Indian grooms
Skimming through the pages of the People’s section of my
customary online newspaper The Times of India, this morning I came
across a rather interesting article. This article, titled “NRI bachelors over Desi dulhas” (desi, meaning Indian and dulhas, meaning grooms), immediately
caught my attention not only because it demonstrated a cultural norm of
marriage in my country, but also because it used a fair amount of Hindi words
in a newspaper that is supposed to be one of the most read English newspapers
in the country. More interestingly, the use of Hindi in this article did not
involve the actual Hindi symbols, but involved the phonetics of the Hindi
language in English alphabets. This article basically talks about how Indian
parents are looking for NRI (Non-Resident Indian) grooms for their daughters
because they don’t want to risk marrying their daughters off to men living in
India because of India’s unpredictable economy.
This phenomenon of code switching, defined as switching
between two or more languages, has been around in India for a while. The use of
English in the country greatly increased just before India gained independence
from Britain. In the above-mentioned article, code switching can be seen in
many instances, including the title of the article. The concept of code
switching comes so easily to Indian people as myself, because we are brought up
learning Hindi at home or with friends and using English at school. In fact,
most of the Indian schools have English as their first language and Hindi as
their second. This ease of code switching among the readers lets the writer of
the article use both English and Hindi at the same, thereby maneuvering
linguistic diversity in the article. As mentioned earlier, the use of English
alphabets for Hindi phonetics is also an example of linguistic diversity. This
may also be called societal bilingualism since the two languages are being used
for the people in the Indian society. It confirms the people’s national
identity as Indian people can relate to both languages. Sociolinguists, people
who study language as affected by social relations, will support that this
technique is useful since it fulfills both the linguistic desires of the Indian
community, English as well as Hindi.
In addition, this article falls under the category of public
media since it is an online newspaper article accessible to all the people
around the world, although it is mainly aimed towards the Indian public and
towards people of other nationalities who comprehend the Hindi language. The
author has used a mixture of formal and informal language, using facts and
figures as evidence (E.g. "The demand for NRI grooms, which fell
by over 20% after the 2008 global financial crisis, is rising again.")
and using people’s personal opinions about the issue (E.g. "Because our daughter's
our only child, we initially wanted her settle down with a groom based in
Delhi”) in
order to build a connection between the author and the audience in order to attract
the audience’s attention. Also, if you roll the cursor over some of the direct
links, it takes you to an advertisement page, completely unrelated to the
marriage issue in India. This may be argued to be contradictory to this article
being public media as opposed to private commercial media since the advertisers
of the product shown in the links are trying to get the attention of the people
to buy the product.
In conclusion, bilingualism has been around in India as well
as all over the world for a very long time. People working in the media are
starting to understand the importance of it and starting to use strategies to
attract more audience.
Sunday, 22 September 2013
What could be told from the drinks"latte" and "cappuccino"?
Just few days ago, an interesting news about coffee came out: one's love towards particular type of coffee could tell what kind of person they are. Unfortunately, since I don't care which one I am drinking as long as I have one cup of coffee in my hand (except for the black one), I just discover myself being fit into all traits mentioned in the text.
Anyway, that is not the main point of this text. This text is talking about the bilingual features of the news. Since one of its main focus is on coffee, which is a term related to exchange of cultures, it is not unexpectable to see the bilingual features embedded in it.
Although Italy isn' t coffee's origin, it has played an important role when engaging in the evolution of the beverage (Click here for more information). From the news, you can see that noth "latte" and "cappuccino" are among the important types of coffee. They are not English, but Italian words. Latte means milk while Cappucino comes from Capuchin friars. This shows that coffee is a product which follows the trend of globalization. Because of the increasing trend of cultural exchange, drinks, which can represent part of a culture, is prone to influence of cultural exchange. Different types of a particular drink can keep on evolving along with human history. In the case of coffee, although "latte" and "cappucinno" did not exist when such beverage as coffee was invented, Italians can still take part in the process of coffee's evolution and develop their own coffee. They can use their own language to name after their newly invented latte and cappuccino. This shows how the increasing trend of globalization draws different cultures together. One's culture can be enriched after absorbing a new comer from exotic lands.
The words "latte" and "cappuccino" are Italians. However, from the news article, you can clearly see that these words have been absorbed into an English article naturally. Even we are not Intalians, we are still get used to these phrases. This tells how the effects of globalization are absorbed among us. Since we are living in an age at which international communication becomes more and more important, it is common for words from one language to be abosrbed into another language. For the case of "latte" and "cappuccino", since they have become quite popular around the world, it is not surprised to see them being accepted into an English passage. It is a use of code-mixing and terms related to food makes quite much use of it.
In short, from "latte" and "cappuccino", it can be discovered that language can be placed under the influence of cultural exchange. Different codes can be mixed together without downgrading the readability of a text as long as those terms are common enough to be recognized. Those words would not lose their abilities in representing a particular culture, but represent it well.
Anyway, that is not the main point of this text. This text is talking about the bilingual features of the news. Since one of its main focus is on coffee, which is a term related to exchange of cultures, it is not unexpectable to see the bilingual features embedded in it.
Although Italy isn' t coffee's origin, it has played an important role when engaging in the evolution of the beverage (Click here for more information). From the news, you can see that noth "latte" and "cappuccino" are among the important types of coffee. They are not English, but Italian words. Latte means milk while Cappucino comes from Capuchin friars. This shows that coffee is a product which follows the trend of globalization. Because of the increasing trend of cultural exchange, drinks, which can represent part of a culture, is prone to influence of cultural exchange. Different types of a particular drink can keep on evolving along with human history. In the case of coffee, although "latte" and "cappucinno" did not exist when such beverage as coffee was invented, Italians can still take part in the process of coffee's evolution and develop their own coffee. They can use their own language to name after their newly invented latte and cappuccino. This shows how the increasing trend of globalization draws different cultures together. One's culture can be enriched after absorbing a new comer from exotic lands.
The words "latte" and "cappuccino" are Italians. However, from the news article, you can clearly see that these words have been absorbed into an English article naturally. Even we are not Intalians, we are still get used to these phrases. This tells how the effects of globalization are absorbed among us. Since we are living in an age at which international communication becomes more and more important, it is common for words from one language to be abosrbed into another language. For the case of "latte" and "cappuccino", since they have become quite popular around the world, it is not surprised to see them being accepted into an English passage. It is a use of code-mixing and terms related to food makes quite much use of it.
In short, from "latte" and "cappuccino", it can be discovered that language can be placed under the influence of cultural exchange. Different codes can be mixed together without downgrading the readability of a text as long as those terms are common enough to be recognized. Those words would not lose their abilities in representing a particular culture, but represent it well.
Saturday, 21 September 2013
Baking with Fun!!!
Hey everyone! Our blog has introduced different types of food to you in the previous weeks. Do you think there's something missing? Yes, that's desserts! Here I get something really fantastic for you all. What's that? It's an awesome website full of baking stuffs and I think you certainly have to go inside and take a look: http://www.joyofbaking.com/ There are recipes and baking videos of cakes, tarts, muffins, cookies, cupcakes...etc. You can make snacks by yourself in your spare time or even share those sweets with family, friends and maybe...lovers! Enjoy your baking!!!
*White Cupcakes!
*Rasberry White Chocolate Shortbreads!
Friday, 20 September 2013
Making Your Own Mooncakes
Li Chun En, a well-known writer in Hong Kong, has written a great piece of article about homemade mooncakes.
The original Chinese version:
The original Chinese version:
To let non-Chinese users know more about mooncakes, I have decided to translate it. I have only taken a few translation courses so it is not perfect. Feel free to leave any comments you got for it:
自己做月餅
月餅多數出自餅家酒家，也有朋友自己做的。有一位朋友，不但自製月餅，連精美的月餅盒也是特別訂造，盒中還附刀叉，如非月餅盒上印了「非賣品」三個字，看起來就是專業製作了。
自己做月餅，純為興致，所以用料也自然比大批生產的餅家講究，那位朋友的月餅分了兩批製成，還特地做了記號，送給我的時候特地叮囑，要我吃後告知，是第一批出品好，還是第二批出品好，原來吃月餅還要交功課，可見這私家製作是何等認真。
月餅應節，並不難得，難得的是這一份閒情逸趣。有這份興致的人，不管窮富，日子都會過得愜意。
其 實自己做月餅的人不少，有專門的月餅製作班開班教人，去學做月餅的人也為數很多，猶如烹飪班，只是在烹飪班學會做菜，在月餅班學會做月餅，做月餅只為應 節，便又顯得格外有誠意有興致。待到月餅做出來，分送朋友，得到讚賞，做月餅的滿足感，比吃月餅的還大。
李純恩
Making Your Own Mooncakes
As the Mid-Autumn Festival is coming, the amount of mooncakes you can get from your friends is simply uncountable. There are usually too many cakes for you to eat so you have no choice but to give out some.
The mooncakes are mostly made by restaurants and bakeries, but there are some homemade ones as well. A friend of mine makes not only the mooncakes, but also the gallant boxes with knivies and forks inside. One may mistaken it as an expensive box of mooncake sold in luxurious shops if they cannot spot the "Not for Sale" tag printed on the box.
Making homemade mooncakes is for pleasure, so the ingredients is often an aspect dealt with much attention. My friend made two batches and gave them markings so that I could let her know which batch is better. I didn't know that eating mooncakes can be a piece of homework, but that just shows how serious she is.
Eating mooncakes to celebrate the festival is nothing special. What she has done is special though. I bet that people like her can live a pleasant life regardless of any adversities encountered.
There are actually more people making homemade mooncakes than we thought. Some are offering classes on this art and many pay to learn. They attend the lessons, as if they were cookery courses, just to learn how to make the food. The mooncakes are made to celebrate, with extra sincerity this time. Though I am sure, when you share your cakes with your friends and hear their words of praise, you will realize that it is happier to make them than to eat them.
Li Chun En
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Sushi or not Sushi?
I cannot believe that a few months ago I was in Korea, when it feels like it was yesterday. Which Korea you ask? The southern one of course! I don't think my university would want us to study in North Korea for now.
As expected from one of the most developed Asian country, there are so much to experience that I could only learn a tiny bit during my stay. It was difficult to express yourself or receive information when language became a barrier, but the human civilization has left us a tool to overcome this - gestures.
Without knowing any Korean, I was able to order food by pointing at the delicious pictures. Today I am showing you all one of my favorites:
You must be wondering, why bother with sushi, a Japanese food, in Korea? There are two things wrong with this question. First, Hong Kong food is not the only thing we eat here, we often eat more Western food than Chinese food without realizing it. Therefore it is perfectly normal to have non-Korean food in Korea. Second, they are not sushi actually. When have you ever seen a sushi with ham?
They are gimbap (reads like Kim-barp), often identified as the Korean variant of sushi. Similar-looking but very different in taste. Normally they are served with neither soy sauce nor wasabi, because they are seasoned well enough. Also, you cannot feel any vinegar in the rice, because they don't use vinegar (obviously).
Next time when you go to Korea, don't think that kimchi is the only thing you can eat!
As expected from one of the most developed Asian country, there are so much to experience that I could only learn a tiny bit during my stay. It was difficult to express yourself or receive information when language became a barrier, but the human civilization has left us a tool to overcome this - gestures.
Without knowing any Korean, I was able to order food by pointing at the delicious pictures. Today I am showing you all one of my favorites:
They are gimbap (reads like Kim-barp), often identified as the Korean variant of sushi. Similar-looking but very different in taste. Normally they are served with neither soy sauce nor wasabi, because they are seasoned well enough. Also, you cannot feel any vinegar in the rice, because they don't use vinegar (obviously).
Next time when you go to Korea, don't think that kimchi is the only thing you can eat!
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Thai food in HK
Hello everyone!! Are you interested in Thai food? If yes, this would ceratinly attract your attention! This is a website which briefly introduces to us the "Little Thailand" in Hong Kong: the Kowloon City. If you want to taste those delicious Thai food, you can click here and you may get some tips! After going through the lines describing the "Little Thailand", hope you would really go there and try those yummy cuisine. You would certainly have an unforgettable expreience!
Friday, 13 September 2013
Spicy Indian Food!
Are you a fan of spicy vegetarian Indian food? Do you wish you could make it on your own at home?
Check out this website filled with Indian recipes both in English and in Hindi. Click here to explore some of the most mouth-watering, delicious, and easy-to-make recipes that promise to tickle your taste buds!
Check out this website filled with Indian recipes both in English and in Hindi. Click here to explore some of the most mouth-watering, delicious, and easy-to-make recipes that promise to tickle your taste buds!
Friday, 6 September 2013
Welcome! Btw, why are we SWAN?
Welcome to our blog! We are students studying at Lingnan University, Hong Kong. This is a collaborative project for a course entitled "Bilingual Cyber Culture". In case you don't know, we are the very first students taking this course. Cool, isn't it?
Why do we call ourselves SWAN? We are not real swans, of course. Let us introduce something interesting to you. There are four students working on this blog and they are Winnie, Najuka, Samantha and Anson. Got it? No? Alright, we are Samantha, Winnie, Anson and Najuka. Hints in bold so I hope you get it now.
What will you find in this blog? Pictures of sexy swans? lol nope. We will be talking about one of the most important thing. Btw, have you had your meal? If not, don't blame us if you get hungrier as you look at the food introduced here. We hope to present to you the sweet, wonderful, astonishing and nice-looking food we have had, hence our blog name SWAN.
We are still preparing so, if you want to be hungrier, you may check out one of these:
Food of Hong Kong and Macau by HK Epicurus, introducing beautiful and delicious Chinese dishes: http://www.hkepicurus.com/2012/02/empire-city-roasted-duck-hong-kong-12.html
Hong Kong Food Blog by Anna, all about eating in HK: http://hongkongfoodblog.blogspot.hk/
Venchi x 不眠王子 朱古力派對, Chocolate Party!: http://blog.yahoo.com/sleeplessprince/articles/1200462/index
Why do we call ourselves SWAN? We are not real swans, of course. Let us introduce something interesting to you. There are four students working on this blog and they are Winnie, Najuka, Samantha and Anson. Got it? No? Alright, we are Samantha, Winnie, Anson and Najuka. Hints in bold so I hope you get it now.
What will you find in this blog? Pictures of sexy swans? lol nope. We will be talking about one of the most important thing. Btw, have you had your meal? If not, don't blame us if you get hungrier as you look at the food introduced here. We hope to present to you the sweet, wonderful, astonishing and nice-looking food we have had, hence our blog name SWAN.
We are still preparing so, if you want to be hungrier, you may check out one of these:
Food of Hong Kong and Macau by HK Epicurus, introducing beautiful and delicious Chinese dishes: http://www.hkepicurus.com/2012/02/empire-city-roasted-duck-hong-kong-12.html
Hong Kong Food Blog by Anna, all about eating in HK: http://hongkongfoodblog.blogspot.hk/
Venchi x 不眠王子 朱古力派對, Chocolate Party!: http://blog.yahoo.com/sleeplessprince/articles/1200462/index
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)