Chinese Language---and Japanese

choi

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Edward Wong, Indonesians Seek Words to Attract China’s Favor. New York
Times, May 2, 2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/world/asia/02chinindo.html?scp=1&sq=chinese%20indonesia&st=cse

Excerpt in the window of the print: Beijing's economic power is overcoming
decades of hostility.

Note:
(a)
(i) The noun "regent" has other meanings, but in this report it means "a
person who rules or reigns : GOVERNOR."  www.m-w.com

(ii) Administrative divisions of Indonesia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_divisions_of_Indonesia

Quote:

"The Republic of Indonesia is divided into provinces. Provinces consist of
regencies and cities. Province, regencies, and cities, have their own local
governments and parliamentary bodies.

"Province is headed by a governor.

"Regency and City are a local level of government * * * Both regency and
city are the same level, having their own local government and legislative
body. The difference between a Regency and a City lies in differing
demographics, size and economics. Generally the regency has larger area than
city, and city has a non-agricultural economic activities. Regency is
headed by a regent, and the city is headed by a mayor. Regent or mayor and
member of representatives are elected by popular vote for 5 years term.

My comment: Taiwanese businessmen are reluctant to invent in Southeast Asia-
-or anywhere other than China, mainly due ot language barrier. (And
Taiwanese are not good at speaking or listening to English, although writing
is also terrible.) Thus, if China succeeds converting the world into
speaking Chinese, it will be only good for Taiwanese. Still juding from my
past experience of learning Japanese in US--Americans are frustrated with
difficulty of learning Japanese that they dropped out within days--I am
curious how many foreigners can attain working level of Chinese language.


---------------Separately
The following is about learning JAPANESE in the manner of instant noodle (my
words). The report does not mention Chinese, China or Taiwan.

Felicia R. Lee, For Her Next Act, Velma Is Japanese. New York Times, May 1,
2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/theater/01wright.html?scp=1&sq=japanese%20chicago&st=cse

Note:
(a) Chicago (musical)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_(musical)
(production began in 1975 at Broadway)

Catherine Zeta Jones portrayed the main character Velma Kelly in the 2002
film adaptation of Chicago.
(b) All That Jazz (song)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_That_Jazz_(song)
(a song from the 1975 musical Chicago; there are various versions, of the
song)

There is also a 1979 film of the same title, which is derived from this song.

(c) Kyodo Tokyo Inc.  株式会社 キョードー東京
http://kyodotokyo.com/

There is a news cooperative in Japan called Kyodo News 共同通信社. But this
Kyodo in company name has different Kanji which shares the same Japanese
pronunciation 協同, because the immediate predecessor of Kyodo Tokyo Inc. is
有限会社協同企画エージェンシー (Agency).
http://kyodotokyo.com/aboutus3.jsp

(d) MORINAGA is Japanese surname 森永.
(e) "Cell Block Tango" is a song in Chicago.
(f) number (n): "a musical, theatrical, or literary selection or production"
   www.m-w.com

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