Never ask an idle question on a blog, unless you want it answered. In this case I did, and I’m grateful to my old pal Vince for checking with his own pal Eddie, a native speaker of…I think Mandarin Chinese, although it could be Cantonese, and it may be both. (He’s a smart guy.) Anyway, I asked yesterday if anyone knew the meaning of the Chinese character in the “Red Dawn” remake, seen all over town these days.
And guess what, Eddie does: “It’s the date when the Communist Party told the Chinese people, regardless of their party affiliation, to stand up and fight against Japanese invasion” in 1935. (If you’d like to read Chairman Mao’s statement in its entirety, it’s the second footnote here, and let me warn you, Chairman Mao did not write in bumper stickers.)
So: Inside joke to those savvy enough to understand, key to some plot point, or just something the graphic designer liked? Whatever, thanks Vince, and thanks Eddie.
On edit: Vince writes: Eddie speaks Mandarin. (and Taiwanese, English & Japanese.) But reading the text has no regard for Mandarin vs Cantonese. The symbols are the same.
Noted.
coozledad said on November 24, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I still think we would have been better off to go with Joe Stilwell’s advice. We might enjoy a special relationship with China similar to that we have with Japan. I keep trying to remember the rapper who says “You gonna speak Chinese.”
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coozledad said on November 24, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Aww. Here it is:
Lyrics – http://www.lyricstime.com/jin-learn-chinese-feat-wyclef-lyrics.html
Video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9YYfEFTrgY
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Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on November 25, 2009 at 1:04 am
Happy Birthday, proprietess ma’am. I mean, ma’am!
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John said on November 25, 2009 at 8:45 am
What Jeff said. A Happy Birthday and many thanks for hours of entertainment.
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LAMary said on November 25, 2009 at 10:42 am
Happy Birthday(!) Is anyone baking a cake for you?
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crinoidgirl said on November 25, 2009 at 11:02 am
Happy birthday!
Interviews with Silky Pony’s supporters at a book-signing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKKKgua7wQk
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brian stouder said on November 25, 2009 at 11:12 am
Happy Birthday, Nancy!
And here’s wishing you and yours, and all the denizens of NN.c-land, a very pleasant Thanksgiving holiday, and safe travel.
From your #1 fan (in the category “Fort Wayne fan-boy;Internet Stranger/Troll”)
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