As I've been working with Tales and Traditions, several timesI have found it necessary to clarify its vocabulary lists for my students. Some of the word definitions seem just slightly off, some seem to stray more seriously from the mark. Considering that these lists may create a very long-lasting impression for students on how words are used and what they mean, I think a bit more care should have been used in selecting the English definition(s). Some examples:
In Story 2 ??????
"Bump into" is provided as the meaning for ? zhuang4. Rarely is anyone knocked unconscious by 'bumping' into something, nor does zhuang4 typically imply a light impact. "Run into," "collide" or even "crash into" would seem better choices.
The word 'laughing stock' is provided as a meaning for ?? xiao4hua4. While this works in context, it is not a typical meaning for ??, and it seems like 'joke' might have worked just as well, at least the two could be provided together.
In the fourth story ??????
'Surprised' is given as the meaning for ?? qi2guai4. 'Strange' or 'odd' are certainly better choices, and my personal feeling is that 'surprised' is rarely, perhaps never, a correct English meaning for this word.
'Actually' is given as the meaning for ?? gen1ben3. That definition would lead to a rather awkward English sentence such as, "Originally the cup had not snake it in actually." and makes it sound like 'genben' is sort of redundant. Actually, genben is stressing the extent of the contrast with the original situation. Much better as a definition would be something along the lines of 'simply' or '(none) at all.' "Originally the cup had no snake in it AT ALL."
I am very pleased with this book in general and hope more like it will be developed, however, the production of wordlists needs to be done with a great deal of care.
Tales and Traditions: vocabulary lists
As I've been working with Tales and Traditions, several timesI have found it necessary to clarify its vocabulary lists for my students. Some of the word definitions seem just slightly off, some seem to stray more seriously from the mark. Considering that these lists may create a very long-lasting impression for students on how words are used and what they mean, I think a bit more care should have been used in selecting the English definition(s). Some examples:
In Story 2 ??????
"Bump into" is provided as the meaning for ? zhuang4. Rarely is anyone knocked unconscious by 'bumping' into something, nor does zhuang4 typically imply a light impact. "Run into," "collide" or even "crash into" would seem better choices.
The word 'laughing stock' is provided as a meaning for ?? xiao4hua4. While this works in context, it is not a typical meaning for ??, and it seems like 'joke' might have worked just as well, at least the two could be provided together.
In the fourth story ??????
'Surprised' is given as the meaning for ?? qi2guai4. 'Strange' or 'odd' are certainly better choices, and my personal feeling is that 'surprised' is rarely, perhaps never, a correct English meaning for this word.
'Actually' is given as the meaning for ?? gen1ben3. That definition would lead to a rather awkward English sentence such as, "Originally the cup had not snake it in actually." and makes it sound like 'genben' is sort of redundant. Actually, genben is stressing the extent of the contrast with the original situation. Much better as a definition would be something along the lines of 'simply' or '(none) at all.' "Originally the cup had no snake in it AT ALL."
I am very pleased with this book in general and hope more like it will be developed, however, the production of wordlists needs to be done with a great deal of care.