Just some random links from the Chinese blogosphere on this Monday:
I always enjoy blogs that are about something, whether it’s law, or the media, or, for that matter, history. Along those lines, I’ve discovered a new blog called Beijing Sounds – 北京的声儿 that is devoted to the sounds of the Chinese language, particularly the local Beijing variety. Written by a foreign student of Mandarin, the blog conveys through posts and podcasts the twists the tongue involved in learning Beijing-hua. The most recent post, on the Beijing erhuayin, is as good a place as any to start.
Poorly-trained employees, plus a language barrier, can lead to all kinds of frustrating and amusing customer service stories. Such tales of woe are the stuff China blogs are made of. But I have never read a post, nor even heard tell such a tale, of bravery in the face of customer service intransigence as this post by new mother Emily of the blog Peer-See. You simply must read what happened the day she took her intermediate Chinese and a malfunctioning breast pump back to the store in search of a refund. Truly hilarious.
Finally, it would appear that Blogspot is, in fact, unblocked today. Perhaps the Nanny forgot to punch a button this morning. Anyway, I’m enjoying it while it lasts, because if history is any guide, it’ll be temporary.