Teochew Know?

MIA in 2013

2013-10-13T13:48:00.001-07:00

Daige ho - Various things have kept me from updating this blog, but I suppose I felt a little nostalgic for Teochew things, so here is another assemblage of videos:

First two travel videos from Thailand. The first "Spirit of Asia" a 25 minute show (pretty high production value I might add!), brings us to Sua:tao where they visit a family with Teochew-Thai folks with relatives in Sua:tao. In Thai (ซัวเถา), the tao in Sua:tao seems to be pronounced with a rising tone. There are English subtitles starting around the 5 minute mark. The second is the narrator's introduction/reflection about the history of Teochews emigrating from Sua:tao to Thailand. His Thai is quite clear! (I'm learning Thai!)

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From Singapore is the YouTube use "TeochewGaginang" who for a while now has been producing some decent videos about basic Teochew. She speaks in English and teaches the fundamentals from greetings to countings, and colors and what not. This particular video is about being sick.

And lastly a video from China. It's actually taken from a radio program about Teochew phrases. Pretty cool stuff, if not hard to understand because they speak in fast Teochew radio voices. Hope everyone enjoys all these new videos.

Journey to the West: A Comedy in Teochew!

2012-09-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

We all know about Sai Iu Gi, aka, Journey to the West with the Monkey King, Sung Ngou Kong. But have you ever watched it in Teochew? I know what you're thinking: I like the story, but its bit boring. Fear not my friends, this version is a comedy! I just saw the first clip and it's hilarious. =) Enjoy, everyone!

Funky Teochew Song from Hong Kong

2012-09-03T17:57:00.001-07:00

September - can't believe it's September already. This post is about another group of folks who are preserving Teochew. This time, in Hianggàng (Hong Kong)! This Teochew language class put together a fun song about Teochew identity and culture. It may be out of tune, but hey, it's the content and spirit that counts right? They did it for New Years I believe, but this song is for any time of year!

Vietnamese learning Teochew

2012-07-12T22:31:00.001-07:00

Yes, two blog posts in one day! Check out this set of videos from Youtube user caohydinh of Vietnamese people in Vietnam learning very basic Teochew. Sounds like this is an organized group of mostly young people who are excited about learning Teochew (and getting in touch with their roots if they are TC). Lots of videos of them meeting up, eating, learning Teochew, etc., check them out on caohydinh's youtube acccount!

Kowloon Walled City

2012-07-12T19:21:00.003-07:00

I first heard about Kowloon Walled City from a friend who gave me an awesome photo book (City of Darkness) about it. Imagine a 6.5 acre urban jungle, with buildings for days, yet no streets, no cars, only lots of little lanes, footpaths, and alleyways. You could hardly see the sun on most days because this former fort was so jam packed.

The place was something like 70-80% Teochew! Apparently lots of new poor (illegal?) immigrants from Diosua: came to eke out a living in Hong Kong and spent their days in this super dense enclave. Eventually triads, drugs, and prostitution moved in in the 70s and 80s and HK had to demolish it. It must have been a sight to behold - and really dangerous.

Nowadays, it's a big city park - next time I'm in HK, I'd love to visit.

If anyone has any other info to share, I'd love to learn more about the "City of Darkness".

Province Towns in Sua:tao

2012-07-05T08:45:00.001-07:00

The wonderful bloggers at "My Shantou" haven't been updating lately, but going through their archives I found an interesting article about how Chinese from different provinces create little neighborhoods or districts in Shantou where the people there are predominately from a particular city or province in China. For example, there is an Anhui town in Shantou. This is quite similar to the phenomenon of Chinatowns all over the world. Local Teosua: people have trouble communicating with these province town dwellers (perhaps because of strong Mandarin accents). Read more about it here: http://myshantou.org/province-town.html

"What Teochew Say?" A New App for the iPhone

2012-06-20T19:32:00.001-07:00

Hi blog readers - by now, you know that I'm all about Teochew things so it probably doesn't come as a surprise that I've been working on a personal project to create the world's first Teochew phrasebook/dictionary for the iPhone. We call it "What Teochew Say?" (get the pun? ha ha). I've worked on this project with my friend Khiem, and we've created a Kickstarter campaign to raise some funds and get the word out. Please consider supporting us. This is history in the making!

Check it out here:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/tylim/what-teochew-say

Also check our our facebook page for "What Teochew Say?"
https://www.facebook.com/WhatTeochewSay

Joisia for your support
感谢你个支持！

Teochew Letters Home (Kiao Poi)

2012-06-06T18:47:00.004-07:00

Kiaopoi Bhungmuetguang Website

Found this link from fellow Gaginangers Vinh and Michelle. "Qiao Pi Teochew Letters" is a project, based out of Sua:tao, dedicated to bringing back to life the stories of Teochew people living abroad who wrote back to their family members in China. The project is actually part of an entire museum (Kiaopoi Bhungmuetguang) that covers all about this time period. Apparently there are those who are fanatics about preserving the original letters of overseas Teochew. Interesting stuff!

Check out their website here

Is Teochew Useful?

2012-06-04T08:12:00.001-07:00

Fellow Gaginang staff member JC found this gem of young Diosua: people sharing their opinions on the following question: Is speaking Teochew useful? Most of them think it is *I'll add some translations soon*. I think its just great to see young people speaking it. A lot of you may not be familiar with the accent from China, but once you listen to it for a while it becomes quite understandable. Kudos to the video maker and Youtuber Baconwalk for posting it.

Visiting Sua:tao gai Laochiku

2012-06-01T08:08:00.001-07:00

If you ever have a chance to visit Suatao I strongly encourage you to visit the old district (Laochiku) where you'll find interesting architecture and get a glimpse of a time past. If you don't get that chance, take a look at these two videos. In the video the host interviews three awesome women who have created a handdrawn map of the old district and are helping to bring back interest in preserving the Laochiku. It looks a little gloomy, but this must be winter. =)

Note: Link will open in another window.

Still Alive! and Mang Ue Neung Hai

2012-05-07T21:35:00.000-07:00

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!

2012-01-16T21:53:00.000-08:00

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:

2011-12-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

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?

2011-12-09T22:31:00.001-08:00

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!

2011-11-13T15:13:00.001-08:00

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 ...

Teochew Words That are Hard to Translate into English

2011-10-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

For a change, I thought I'd make an original (wow!) post, so I wanted to throw in some fun words that I think are relatively hard to translate into English (or require many words to describe). Now, some of these may have easy translations into other languages, but it's takes some creativity to say it in Engbhūng.

Gáogoit
Rubbed off dead skin. This is my favorite, because I don't know of any other languages that have a word for this. Perhaps someone can enlighten me. All good Teochew parents teach their children how to clean themselves, and it takes a daily regimen of rubbing away gáogoit.

Mimi
Something shut closed but with a slit or small crack of showing. Mākmimi is someone's eye's that are closed so tight you can only see the slits. Perhaps "chink" would work.

Bhọlẹng-ūi
There's nothing you can do about it, there's no satisfactory way to do anything about this.

Lōng
To slide an object into a relatively small opening. Something like sliding a chopstick into a hole, or reach in with one's hand into a bag.

Tīktō
This one doesn't describe anything unique, but encompasses vacations, play, leisure, and doing anything for fun or enjoyment.

Have any more? Share them in comments!

Teochew Accents!

2011-10-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

Time to hear some accents from around the Teochew world, we'll start with Vietnam and Cambodia. I'm gonna analyze how these individuals speak Teochew and perhaps we can understand some "typical" characteristics of regional Teochew speech (keep in mind some of it may be individual aberrations):

1. Vietnam - Thuan Loi's Gang-hu Dē Demonstration (quite good actually to see a hạose:nāng doing this)

- Any tone 5 (such as 個 gāi) becomes more of a tone 6 (so, 個 gái)
- 杯 bue, sounds more like bui
- 沖茶 chongdē, becomes songdē (this is a very typical change CH -> S for Vietnamese TC speakers)

2. Cambodia - Teochew People Celebrating New Year's Eve (aka Sa:japmē) in Phnom Penh

- (.48) 好就 hòjiụ is a very common connector between sentences, means "and then"
- (4.55) 零顆 lạnglò, meaning "some", very common
- (6.35) 每 mué is pronounced múi
- ang-he meaning "this way"

Mué oi!

2011-09-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, I've been searching videos like crazy on Youku 尤酷 a Chinese internet video website. Found this hilarious video ... the guy is pretty funny, though a little old for high school! This video is about finding love in unexpected places... ha ha ha. Plus the Teochew is quite easy to understand. Enjoy this video from the artist Dio: Chiụ Tōng 張樹桐 It's from an album called "Che:-I" or "Green Shirt". He has some other videos that poke fun.

Teochew Artist: Ku Họng Ù 邱洪宇

2011-09-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

Next Teochew artist is Ku Họng Ù 邱洪宇 (his family name might be pronounced "kiu"). This video probably has the highest production value I've ever seen from a Teochew music video (Produced by Dongo Music 東音社 - website seems out of commission) Plus, his voice is pretty damn good - it reminds me of Richie and he even looks a bit like him too. I think its great that this guy wrote a song about his momma and she's even in the video too! Schweeeeeet - Teochew people coming UP in the modern music world!

Teochew Artist: Dio: Mạng Hōng 張夢虹

2011-09-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

*NEWS FLASH*: This just in: a singer who sings in Teochew, and the music is MODERN. Don't believe me? Take a listen. This song is called 《Chiù Kang Chiù Giā: 手牽手行》Yeah, its a bit cutesy and sounds kind of like a lot of Mandarin/Cantonese music out there, but freak man, it's modern! Apparently she is from 普寧 Pouleng (and you can tell by the way she says 汝 lèu as lù). Enjoy! I've included a direct video for her song Chiù Kang Chiù Giā:. Also here is a link to another of her songs 《Hue Mịng Ngiao 花面貓》

Teochew Cartoons

2011-09-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

Dạigehò! I know I have been slow to post in the last couple of months, so I've decided to step it up a notch and post THREE times today - because I love you so much (but mostly because I found a bunch of awesome things). For this first one: Cartoons!

Who doesn't reminisce about Saturday morning cartoons? Let's check out some real Teochew cartoons from China! The first one is about 出花園 Chuk Hue Hēung - anTeochew coming of age ceremony for both boys and girls (like a Sweet 16, Bar mitzvah, or Quicenera). If you have never heard of it this is a perfect introduction on what it entails. The second is 柴房会外传 Chàibāng Hué Ghuạ Juang or Firewood House Story. The Teochew in both is quite understandable. Enjoy!

Old Swatow

2011-08-21T17:33:00.000-07:00

Suatāo gai Lạochịku

Interior that's seen better days...

Sue Ann Tay: Check out her Shanghai Street Stories

Just found a nice little photography article on old Swatow (of course nowadays is known as Shantou) or in pengim "Sua:tāo". Singaporean photographer Sue Ann Tay is known for her work on Shanghai, but also paid a visit to this "largest city" of the Diọsua: region. I've personally been to the old quarter of Sua:tāo and I thought it had a lot of character - the mix of East and West, and just a nice change of pace from typical modern architecture that you can find throughout China nowadays. The old quarter is officially know as the 汕頭老市區 (Sua:tāo Lạochị-ku) and it is unfortunately not being maintained. Tay also visits Teochew City. I can't recommend enough that overseas Teochew folks, especially young ones take a trip to China to see these places. It helps to speak good Teochew, but if you have relatives or friends who can translate you'll have a richer experience.

Article:
China Through My Lens: Exploring Shantou's vanishing treaty port architecture with Sue Anne Tay

Teochew Medicinal Herbs in Tàigok

2011-07-22T22:32:00.000-07:00

Fellow Gaginanger and staff member Du gave me a heads up on an article in the Bangkok Times about Teochew folks in Yaowarat (Bangkok's Chinatown) selling medicinal greens/herbs. The article is great because they specifically mention Teochew language, have the names of the herbs in Teochew, and have pictures of the Teochew woman who sells them. I've never heard of these in Teochew, but I've probably seen some of these before... like the Jui Dek Chao (probably 水竹草) looks awfully like Wandering Jew (Purple Heart). Also seems like a lot of these are just edibles that happen to have medicinal properties... awesomeness! If you ever wind up in Bangkok, you really have to go to Yaowarat - its huge, sprawling, and filled with Teochew people - you'll hear it being spoken especially amongst the older folks... me thinks the writer for this article must be Teochew heh heh.

I've tried to provide characters and English for the list they have at the end, can anyone help me finish it?

JUI TEK CHAO (水竹草?) - lit. Water bamboo grass
JING JU CHAI (真珠菜) - lit. Pearl greens
EAH MOR CHAO (羊毛菜) - lit. Wool greens
KAO KI CHAI (枸杞菜) - Wolfberry/Gojiberry Plant
SAI EAH CHAI (西洋菜) - Watercress - lit. Western ocean greens
HUA SIA TAO CHAO (?) - Pennywort, rau ma
HUE CHAI CHAO (?)
POW TI KIM (?)
TAO CHI CHAO (?)
POR EAH (?)
JIA TAE CHAO (?)

A Teochew Version of "The View"

2011-07-13T22:07:00.000-07:00

Ah yes, "The View" - an American talk and variety show featuring the opinions of four women, including Barbara Walters, Whoopi, and Joy Behar, and others... well, Teochew people gots their own show with opinionated women! Check out 美女觀天下 múi nèung guang ti: é (literally: Beautiful Women Viewing Everything Under the Sky). One of the most interesting things I notice is how different their accents are. I like the host's accent the best - well, at least its easiest for me to understand, and also the one in red. Some of the others have weird tones, or pronounce things weird. Also I can tell one or two of them are making mistakes on some words, and also fill in their missing TC with Mandarin or even Cantonese occasionally. Anyhow, one interesting show is about "Growing Up With Teochew Parents" and "Teochew Guys and Male Chauvinism"... click on the picture then scroll down on the left to the top rated shows "嫁人要嫁潮汕男？" or "潮汕男人與大男子主義".

Teochew Hip Hop

2011-06-28T23:42:00.000-07:00

A while back I posted some songs from some Sua:tao hip-hop artists, now here is a short clip of an interview with some more - with English subtitles (its in Mandarin, but the music is in Teochew)! Enjoy! I honestly can't say the music sounds great, but then again, I'm not much of a hip-hop fan. I wonder where all the Teochew indie music is though... I guess that's just more searching to do!