NP-Taiji MayX 2018

[Mike Jing]

Wade–Giles wasn't used much in mainland China after Pinyin was introduced
in the 1950's, so not many Chinese know it these days,let alone pronounce
it properly. I certainly didn't know until I looked it up just now.


On Fri, Jun 1, 2018 at 12:51 AM Keith Davis <kbob42 at gmail.com> wrote:

> That is very interesting. I will ask some Chinese friends about it. It
> does seem that it could give a more comprehensive idea of the true
> pronunciation in such a complicated language. I think it is further
> complicated by the fact that it is tonal. We in the West are not used to
> hearing language in that way.
>
> Www.innergroovemusic.com
>
> On Jun 1, 2018, at 12:23 AM, Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> It turns out this is due to a feature of the Wade–Giles system. From
> Wikipedia:
>
> A feature of the Wade–Giles system is the representation of the
> unaspirated-aspirated stop consonant pairs using left apostrophes: p, pʻ,
> t, tʻ, k, kʻ, ch, chʻ. The use of apostrophes preserves b, d, g, and j for
> the romanization of Chinese varieties containing voiced consonants, such as
> Shanghainese...
>
> People unfamiliar with Wade–Giles often ignore the apostrophes, sometimes
> omitting them when copying texts, unaware that they represent vital
> information...
>
> Partly because of the popular omission of the apostrophe, the four sounds
> represented in Hànyǔ Pīnyīn by j, q, zh, and ch often all become ch,
> including in many proper names. However, if the apostrophes are kept, the
> system reveals a symmetry that leaves no overlap:
>
>      The non-retroflex ch (Pīnyīn j) and chʻ (Pīnyīn q) are always before
> either i or ü.
>      The retroflex ch (Pīnyīn zh) and chʻ (Pīnyīn ch) are always before a,
> ê, ih, o, or u
>
> So "chi" in Wade–Giles was supposed to be pronounced as "ji" in the first
> place. And "ch'i" is pronounced as "qi".
>
> Very interesting.
>
>
> On Thu, May 31, 2018 at 8:13 AM Keith Davis <kbob42 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I don’t know if “very strong chi flow” is as important as simply
>> listening to the body, which requires some focus and quietude.
>>
>> Mike, what I’m told by Chinese people is that the ch in Tai chi is
>> pronounced more like a j, and that is the reason for the adoption of this
>> spelling of taiji.
>>
>> Www.innergroovemusic.com
>>
>> > On May 31, 2018, at 1:03 AM, David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > Cool!  Do you also teach Chi Gong?  Very strong inner Chi flow can
>> provoke one's body to move (w/o volition) like Thai Chi moves. Likewise,
>> body movement regimes, with mind focus, can provoke inner Chi movement.
>> Flow, movement of energy in healing patterns, is the goal.  The body knows
>> what it needs.
>> >
>> > David Morris
>> >
>> >> On Wed, May 30, 2018 at 11:14 PM Keith Davis <kbob42 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> Just finished teaching a three week Taiji course at Furman. 21 kids.
>> They dug it, and so did I! Here’s the class performing the form we learned.
>> I’m the bald one...haha
>> >>
>> >> https://photos.app.goo.gl/TStRiYTFP98hbb8U2
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Www.innergroovemusic.com
>> >> --
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>> --
>> Pynchon-L: https://waste.org/mailman/listinfo/pynchon-l
>>
>