Still Alive! and Mang Ue Neung Hai

Yes I know it's been months (almost five) since I've last posted, but I'm still here. Just letting the Teochew media pile up so I can impress you guys ... maybe. This post has a karaoke video that is possibly original but more likely a Mandarin or perhaps event English song originally - someone please let me know in the comments. The song is mostly in Teochew, with a line or four in Mandarin, and an a cool Teochew rap too. Karaoke is good for learning to sing... ain't it? Enjoy "Mang Ue Neung Hai" which means Manga girl.

Teochew Hip-Hop: Afinger and Happy New Year!

Happy New Year - I've been slow to post since 2012 started, BUT, wanted to share two things. First a video from a live performance of Afinger, a Teochew hip-hop group. It would be so interesting to attend a concert of TC music and filled with TC people.

Also, more importantly... it's almost New Year's Time! Happy Lunar New Year to everyone - jok daige sing ni kuailak! In the meantime I'll try to look for another awesome Teochew New Year's video. =D

Protests in Diosua:

As of late there's been two major protests that made it to Western media channels...  check out this video from CNN HK/Beijing.

1) Wukan (near Sua:bhuè 汕尾) - Townspeople claim that a protest leader died of torture. Government officials claim he died of a heart attack. I'm not clear on why the original protest happened.

2) Haimen (near Dio:'iō: 潮陽) - Townspeople (30,000!) gathered to protest a current AND a new planned coal powerplant. Apparently the gov't has backed down on this second one. Go Haimen people!

I'm glad that Diosua: people are fighting against corruption and attacks on the local environment. Protest in Teochew is kàngngì 抗議。

What is so good about Teochew Food?

What's so good about Teochew food? Well I actually don't know. That's why these videos (2 parts) are great for helping to enlighten us Teochew-food-ignorants. This quick video is in Mandarin but with English subtitles. It leaves off where the other video that I posted, takes off. A nice little slice of Teochew food knowledge. What did I get from the video? Teochew food is all about subtle flavors. I haven't had some good Teochew food in months! Anyone have any suggestions (worldwide) for the best Teochew restaurants?

We are Gik-io:nang!

CHECK OUT THE MANGA HERE

Small snippet of the comic, go HERE for the full thing

Found this internet manga called "Uàng si Gīk-ionāng" (We are Gik-io: People). For those who don't know, Gik-io: is a city in the Diosua: region. The comic focuses on anthropomorphized tea kettles (very Teochew!) and  is light-hearted and quite funny. I really like the art and facial expressions. The linked episode is called "Gaginang". I think there's about a dozen of them. seems like they were created for that website "Chaoshanren.net" One interesting thing to note is that the whole thing is in Chinese characters and yet is in Teochew. Those Chinese readers who don't know know Teochew will probably be quite confused reading it.  For some a good percentage of words it uses Mandarin characters that approximate the sound of Teochew... for example:

- uà would normally be written 我 but is written as 瓦 in the comic. 
- măi would normally be written 勿 but is written 邁 in the comic.

I'll do a translation:


1A Jájai mài duà hiot jọi muetgiá:! / If I'd known, I wouldn't have brought so many things!
1B Mmm? / Hmm..
2B Hẹnglì kēt uà! / Give me the luggage!
2A Pāt kiot? Chàm liạo! / Oh no! Is he planning to steal stealing my stuff?

3A Nguánglại A Hia: sị hósim. Siohụ uà bua muetgiá, jọisiạ, jọisiạ!  / Turned out that you're a pretty nice guy. Helping me move my stuff, thanks a lot man!
3B Uàng lóngsị Gēk-iọ:nāng, dọ káo giā: diot siohú gagināng! / We're all Gek-io people! You have to help your own people!

3A Hia: a! Mó-ìseu, uà singdèng gại ngīng ṃ lạ hāi... / Hey man! So sorry, but I'm don't have enough to pay...
3B ...