Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Chad Thurman — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:43:37 GMT

Well, the way that this country is going with its rigged elections, and wars based on lies; it won't be long before we all need to know how to speak Madarin. Our Chinese overlords will appreciate it much more.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

T. Thompson, Rennes, France — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:46:58 GMT

Goodness. It would be amazing to find out when he started translating, how long he lived in China (if he did), what kind of schools he went to, etc.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Chris Doe, Arlington VA — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:00:40 GMT

This exemplifies the sad state of the US Diplomatic Corps, brought on by criminal cutting of resources. Successive Administrations and Congresses, with the exception of Colin Powell, have beggared the State Department's training and staffing resources, while putting unqualified people into sensitive positions. Only when the present administration at State gets serious about demanding the resources needed to make America competitive again, will we see any result. Secretary Rice, however, continues to show her contempt for the Service by refusing to take meaningful action. Maybe she tried to join but couldn't make the cut. About the only reason for this inaction -- spite.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Brian Whitaker — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:04:31 GMT

Think this is the guy?

http://www.translatorscafe.com/cafe/profile/default.asp?LinguistID=4084

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Sally, Fort Washington, PA — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:26:51 GMT

The question where Jim learned his Mandarin was not answered. How did he become so fluent? Where did he take instruction?

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Serena, Lakeville, MN — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:39:20 GMT

The talent that James Brown III posses is extremely impressive.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Tiffany — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:48:20 GMT

This pique my interest...a caucasian translating in Mandarin and I'm a Chinese ... can't speak, understand (maybe afew words) and cannot write Mandarin. Shame on me :-(

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Steve, Winston Salem, NC — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:42:40 GMT

I wonder what his salary is?

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

M. Benson, Eureka, California — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:43:05 GMT

That's simply amazing...Having studied mandarin myself I can truly appreciate the uniqueness of your mystery translator. I'm sure, as you said, the native Chinese in the room with you were just as amazed that a "white guy" could not only translate into Mandarin, but do it quickly and (presumably) accurately. Kudos to Jim Brown.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

BC, Hartford, Connecticut — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:14:59 GMT

I came in contact with Jim back in the early 1980s when I taught at the US Air Force Academy. He was with a delegation of Chinese military officers who visited the Academy and he was the interpreter. I chatted with him about the fluency of his Chinese Mandarin and how he picked up the language. He disclosed that besides college, he had several years of Chinese Language training in Taiwan.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

CLIFF WILLIAMS — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:17:00 GMT

NOTHING COULD SURPRISE ME ABOUT THE GOVERMENT OTHER THAT SOMETHING THAT WAS TRUTHFUL, HONEST, AND FAIR.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Gerry S. — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:18:32 GMT

Good description of the Mandarin language. However, it's not each character that has four tones. Rather, four different characters would have a similar phonetic pronunciation, but each with one of four tones, and therefore four different meanings. For example, four different intonations (flat, rising, dipping & falling) on the phonetic "ma" would mean mother, hemp, horse and blame (There's also a fifth non-tone, which would indicate an interogative). As a Westerner, learning this Northern Chinese language is extremely difficult, as intonations mean something entirely different in our language and culture.

I think perhaps a reason there are so few American Chinese translators is the same reason that less than half of American students are enrolled in foreign language class (according to a 2002 Digest of Education Statistics (http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/academic/foreign-language/teaching-language.html).

Language isn't emphasized enough in school or at home.

Europeans learn several languages. Over 200 millions Chinese students are learning English. But Americans are unfortunately stereotyped abroad as loud and stubborn foreigners who refuse to speak the local language. Since only Spanish and French are offered in most high schools, its no wonder so few Americans can master a difficult, non-Latin language and act as translator in Chinese (spoken by 937,132,000 people)(http://www2.ignatius.edu/faculty/turner/languages.htm).

Instead of facing this oldest of countries with distrust and aggression, perhaps an approach based on diplomacy and friendship could be beneficial to not just America and China, but the entire world. How can we be peaceful without clear communication from both sides?

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Matthew Cohen, Indianapolis, IN — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:21:36 GMT

As a non-ethnically Chinese person who learned to speak and write Mandarin in college in Indiana, the approach that our federal government takes to hiring for Chinese language ability is reminiscent of the Imperial Chinese examination system for grooming officials: you enter a small room and are presented with an exam. You pour out everything you have ever learned about any subject and leave. At that point, assuming you pass, you are then eligible to be called a Chinese speaker. So, if instead of preparing yourself properly for this test, you have become as bilingual as possible and also have pursued another field, say accounting, how would you go on to prove yourself? You start from the bottom and strive to be recognized for what you are. You just hope that your professional Chinese language ability has not degraded while you sought the experience and technical expertise our government agencies claim they want out of applicants. There is no doubt that just taking Chinese language classes will ever be enough to become anything more than a casual Mandarin speaker, but I think there is room for our government to reevaluate how it measures the language ability of a Chinese speaking applicant to actually interact with Chinese speaking people and the Chinese speaking world.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Frank Bird, Burns, Oregon — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:46:56 GMT

Okay, I am sure that is impressive. Having a son who studied Mandarin and spent a term in Bejing, and who expressed its difficult idiosyncracies, I can appreciate Jim's talent. How does one get into the State Department Interpreter program? Thanks for the story.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

D. Baker, Palmdale, California — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:59:28 GMT

I had the high honor of knowing and working with Jim Brown during my two years at the Embassy in Beijing from 1986-88. Jim was doing this kind of work at the highest levels (SECSTATE, SECDEF, etc.) even back then. Yes, he is kind of shy, but a nicer, more unpretentious guy you'll never meet. It was great to read that someone of his talent and integrity is still there performing the service that he does for our country. He is truly a national treasure.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Alex, Minneapolis, MN — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:02:42 GMT

I've found that the Chinese I've spoken to (in my limited Mandarin) are usually very patient in listening to me and trying to communicate.

Here, in Minnesota, there are several elementary schools with Mandarin immersion programs, which is a great idea.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Lin Shaw, Portland, Oregon — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:15:13 GMT

"So each character has four ways to pronounce it and thus at least four different meanings."

This statement is incorrect. Some characters can have different pronounciations (not limited to different tones), but most characters have one pronounciation associated with one tone. Each "syllable" can have 4 tones, and each syllable with one tone can represent multiple characters. (eg: MA1:媽-mother; MA2:麻-hemp,痲-measels;MA3:馬-horse,碼-number,瑪-agate,螞-leech;MA4:罵-to scold) Okay, I might have made it even more confusing.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Heather, Kitsap County, WA — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:36:47 GMT

My two young caucasian daughters attend Chinese language school twice a week and, because they started when they were two and three years old, are beginning to speak and read Mandarin quite well for their ages. We receive a lot of comments and strange looks when my daughters speak Mandarin or find out that they attend Chinese language school, however most of the negative comments come from other caucasians. I can't count the number of times we've been told that our daughters "should" be learning Spanish because it's more useful. Given the current state of world affairs I couldn't disagree more! The Chinese people we come into contact with have always been welcoming, patient and thrilled to talk with my girls. I would love to see one (or both) of my daughters grow up to be a high level interpreter of the caliber of Mr. Brown. I only wish we had a Mandarin immersion school in our area!!

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Roy H, Dana Point, CA — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:05:00 GMT

Yeah! Hillary and Bill take so much Chinese $$$, and sold the Panama canal and dock operations to them.

We HAVE been sold out!!!!!

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

karen smith — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:29:34 GMT

I would believe Jim is just one of those people who are just good at langauges. I have met some and they seem to already know the langauge before they learn it. More like remembering than learning.

Perhaps they are proof of re-incarnation.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Wing Ho, New York NY — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:05:09 GMT

Cantonese is a language in it's own right. It's like saying Portuguese is a dialect of Spanish, or calling all the languages exisiting in the Iberian plain Spanish. It is a political invention.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Gloria L. Richards, St. Louis, Mo. — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:08:58 GMT

I am looking forward to reading an excellent mystery with Jim Brown as the main character. Just reading the comments as well as the article has me hooked.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Greg, Santa Cruz, CA — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:11:37 GMT

Here's a link to Jim Brown's educational bio.
http://www.translatorscafe.com/cafe/profile/default.asp?LinguistID=4084

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

B.L. Bernier — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:16:06 GMT

Amazing talent & would say this man is unusual & needless to say brilliant. We in America need Intrepretors here in every store,gas station, court, ETC ETC to have Especially the P.D. understand ones here which speak no English but can count American currancy faster than a speeding bullet. Not only count but own more in a year than Americans born here. Thanks to grants from the working TAXPAYERS.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Hirsch Friedman — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:22:42 GMT

I don't see where there is anything unusual about having someone with expertese in the Chinese way of speaking or even thinking. After all, our government has been doing the same thing for many years. They take one crooked politician from column A and one from column B and combine them in a wok, which as everyone knows is what you use to kill a wabbit. Unfortunately, instead of killing wabbits, our government has just been killing the good name of our homeland, which has taken us and our forefathers generations to build.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Alex, Houston, TX — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:45:17 GMT

Wow, this is motivational. If Mr. Brown learned Mandarin and can speak it fluently, then why can't I?
It's also a bit depressing...

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Lawrence Baton Rouge, La. — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:48:01 GMT

I too find this truly amazing! I have been trying to master Mandarin for the last 4 years and find the tonal situation to be quite challenging. However, since I see that it can be done, I will continue to study, perhaps even more diligently.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Crickett — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:49:41 GMT

I don't agree that Americans are "unfortunately" stereotyped as loud and stubborn, I think we are "accurately" stereotyped. Many of us get downright incensed when we think we may HAVE to learn something new to ingratiate ourselves to the "foreign overlords". Would learning another language really hurt?

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Andrew M, Toronto Canada — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:50:44 GMT

It's possible he was a Mormon missionary. Two of my friends went to Taiwan for two years and learned Mandarin. I Myself went to Albania and became quite fluent in Albanian, and I must say, that we were probably some of the very very few non-ethnic Albanians to speak it fluently.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

P. Collins, Austin, TX — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:56:27 GMT

I enjoyed all the comments about Jim Brown and also those of you who knew him and added to information about his background. This is a very unique and enlightening story. I especially appreciated the comments from D. Baker in Palmdale, CA. Thank goodness all the positive people and their constructive comments far outweight the negative people with their negative comments. This is still a great nation with lots of great people.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Steve Lackey, Ft. Worth, Texas — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:07:15 GMT

I know another person who is very fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese who is looking for work. Contact me at 940-626-1451 if you wish to hire her.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Zhan Welcome — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:13:38 GMT

I will send the link to my students and convince them that they may be the future Jim Brown. Thanks for the description!

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Ruosi Li, Coral Springs, FL. — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:45:15 GMT

I have to say, there aren't a lot of foreigners who can speak chinese fluently in China. I went back to China this summer and well, there are a lot of foreigners, but most of them can't speak Chinese. This just illustrates the point that many foreigners are immigrating to China now because economice opportunities.

I teach Chinese for free at my local library. The people that I had taught were either going to immigrate to China because of jobs, or going to vacation there.

This is truly amazing, I mean, some people think that U.S. is still the top country for immigrations, but just look around you, China is catching up too

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Benny Bradshaw — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:09:33 GMT

As a United States Citizen, I am infuriated by the statements that US Citizens need to learn another language besides English. The second language for most of the industrialized world is English, so all business can be transacted in English. If non-English speakers want to talk to me, they can get a translator or learn English. International air traffic control is English. Most computing languages and equipment was designed for English.

Immigrants to the United States should learn English as they did from 1776 to 1970 or so, but that is another issue.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

WL, Anaheim, CA — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:46:32 GMT

It's amazing how even a non-partisan article about a very good translator can be interpreted as a sign of apocalypse by those who are politically biased.

Yes, I'm talking about you, Chad Thurman and Chris Doe.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Kevin Lewallen, Monterey, CA — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:50:50 GMT

Gerry S.,

I'd like to point out that in a recent survey, Americans were ranked the #2 most friendly tourists, behind the Japanese.

Chinese ranked 3rd last!

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Aaron C., Hawthorne, CA — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:05:29 GMT

Just a little correction to your nice article from someone who works in the translation industry. "Translating" refers only to written work, while "interpreting" is the job that Mr. Brown has. The official from the State Department was talking about three levels of "interpreting."

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Nick, Sydney — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:07:10 GMT

Learning a second language is always hard, tonal languages are the hardest.Learning another language enables one to see how other people think, approach and handle different situations.While Mandarin "Pu tong wa" is hard, Cantonese "gwong dong wa" far more difficult. One may be able to speak two languages , that doesn't guarantee one can be an effective translator.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Eugene Hunt Conroe, Texas — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:21:27 GMT

Amazing to me that we (the US) don't have a program to identify and offer to the best and brightest the opportunity to serve their country in the manner that Mr. Brown has, seems like it is all rather haphazard and co-incidental..Also surprised that we do not offer more Chinese language courses in our early education system, considering the future importance of Chinese/American relations. Am I missing something, or are WE missing something?

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

sarah — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:38:17 GMT

The new Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd is fluent in Mandarin, he was a diplomat in China before entering politics. Look up youtube "Kevin Rudd speaking on Chinese tv". The Chinese President Jintao Hu was very impressed when he met him at APEC and was able to converse with him one on one!!

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Ron Henderson, Portland Oregon — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:05:12 GMT

Probably not James Brown III - according to the site he is apparently a translator, not an interpreter and works for some Chinese fur company. Is there a photo or something that could shed light on this?

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Dave Porter — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:08:41 GMT

Thanks for this story. Deserved recognition to Jim.

To develop more Mandarin fluent citizens now should be one of our nation's highest strategic priorities. Relations between the US and China are the most significant, pivotal, bilateral relations for the twenty-first century. Many global issues depend upon the US and China working together and avoiding war.

We know how to produce fluent Mandarin students: start young, immerse and get them to spend significant time in China or Taiwan. The few Mandarin immersion programs that start in kindergarten need to be multiplied by one hundred, and we need to develop programs starting in high school to send many, many more students to study abroad in China. Again, it should be a high national priority.

So, how Jim developed his skills is an important story. And how we could get many more students to Mandarin fluency is a still more important story.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

lin — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:25:59 GMT

Is this the guy? I think it is Reagan and the guy behind looks like a Westerner.
http://www.cbw.com/newstxt/newspic/00000/0000/43_13.jpg

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

fso — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 03:06:19 GMT

This is why we need to educate Congress about the role of FSOs and the importance of language training - there should not be a need for translators if Foreign Service officers got the training they deserve. American diplomats deserve a better deal and should not be stereotyped by Europeans as monolingual.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

just a physician grandfather who worries about our national destiny — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:25:50 GMT

And we wonder why the rest of the world is leaving us in the dust as children from other countries become fluent in scores of languages, while here in the U.S., parents and children are glued to Hollywood-based TV filth or to violent computer games. Jim Brown should be the role model for all present and future generations. We have a very long row to hoe in earning our way back to being a nation of excellence and leadership.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

David Rutledge, Taipei Taiwan — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:21:04 GMT

I have been teaching English in Taiwan (a Mandarin speaking country) for the past 5 years. It's been extremely difficult learning 'Chinese'. The different tones have been impossible for me to use. Just like many people learning English find our use of past, present and future tense difficult.
I must say that if you speak even ONE word of 'Chinese' to anybody here they are very excited and encouraging that you try. Unlike other countries where if you don't speak English they are put off.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Josh, Canada — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:47:20 GMT

My bet is that Jim may have garnered his Mandarin skills as Mormon missionary. I know many non-native Mandarin speakers who learned to speak, read and write the language through the intensive 2-year service for the LDS Church.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Erik, Shanghai, China — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:15:05 GMT

To Steve, in Winston. I'm a "fluent" Mandarin speaker and my work as a corporate trainer. There are a several of us multilingual trainers floating around the China market now. (I can think of at least half a dozen I personally know in Shanghai). We don't make stellar amounts according to US standards, but $100,000/year goes a lot further here than in LA.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

AS, Gunnison, CO — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:48:31 GMT

Education in any field can improve the lives of the uneducated.
With the invention of an internatonal communcation system came the need for the ability to communicate! Let's let our children learn.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

SRC Dulles, VA — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:25:52 GMT

Jim Brown is not the James Edward Brown III on the website. Jim Brown is a State Department employee who has served numerous tours in China as a interpreter. The fellow on the website is a much younger guy, who was apparently studying while Jim was working at the Embassy. I worked with him at the Embassy, so I know. His Mandarin is fantastic.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

paul — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:28:05 GMT

Where can I learn Chinese? My school only teaches french. It would be nice to work as translator for the government but there are too many french speakers. I think we do need more Americans to speak Chinese instead of them learning English.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

mike — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:32:23 GMT

Well, it is nice to know another language so as to understand and appreciate others' culture and stuff better. Mandarin after all is not tough so long as there is macro environment for you. Most of my friends or colleagues know at least two languages (English, French and their own mother tongues)

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Charlee Ann Lewis, Verona, Italy — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 10:38:38 GMT

An interesting side line to this discussion of the Mandrin language is that research has shown that the Chinese process language on the opposite side of the brain than English speakers. The English speakers process music and the Mandrin Speakers process their language on the taht same side of the brain. It would seem that a musician would then be the best candidate to speak Mandrin. Something to think about when we educate our children as music developes perhaps other abilities as well.

I am a retired Chief Financial Officer from California who now teaches English to Italians. And I am currently studing the Italian language. The Italian language has 60-80 conjugations for one verb and complicated and convoulted sentence strutures. The Italians have a difficult time understanding each other and if a word is not used in the usual and Familar context they do not understand what is being said. It is difficult to speak just one word and have it understood. I despair at the rigid complexity of the Italian language and I can understand completely why English is becoming the language of the World. English grammar is simple and clear. Our use of precise prepositions gives clarity to ideas. If you ever ask an Italian directions from their home to where they work, it is odd, but they cannot give clear directions. And I am sure that this failure in their language is the basis of same convoluted and complex morass of bureaucracy that one finds in every aspect of Italian life. Language helps to develope the brain to function in a certain way and educators may want to take another look at how it is taught.

English has caught on as the world wide language because I really do believe it is much more functional than many others and this is why so many countries have pretty much adapted English as their second language. I hear that Americans are lazy but the U.S. is bigger than Europe and just maybe the reason we have had so few internal wars is that we can all communicate with each other. So maybe the issue is that one world language is not a bad idea.
Charlee Ann Lewis
Verona, Italy

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Erik B., Shanghai, China — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:03:59 GMT

I learned to speak Mandarin years ago in Taiwan and I've since lived in the region a total of eight years. Chinese people are extremely (sometimes overly) appreciative of foreigners who learn to speak Mandarin. Oddly, we are not as appreciative of the hundreds of millions of Chinese who learn English.(Also very different from their mother tongue).

Chinese and English will be the languages of the 21st century. The third big, Spanish, is still far behind when it comes to lingua franca.

If you are intimidated by the characters and tones, don't be. My first foreign language, French, was quite comparative in difficulty to learn. Chinese has a structure, but not grammar! No pesky tenses or trying to add 's' for plural. Even the "he","she" and "it" are pronounced the same! Mandarin has its unique challenges but you don't necessarily need to be a genius to learn. (Especially if you are musical, because tones come easier!)

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Jim — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:41:54 GMT

Only morons would take an exellant article on a superbly trained linguist and turn it into another diatribe against everyone and anything. Don't you folks realize that you look like you have the brains of a neandertal pidgeon and are doing more to ensure a defeat to the liberal left next November. You all need some mental health work big-time! As for the State Department, they are FULL of level 3-5 linguists, as is the military MI, ASA, SPECOPS, Foreign Service, and IPW departments. What makes brown different is his native-speaking ability as a non-Asian which IS RARE!

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Brendan O'Kane, Beijing, China — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:23:45 GMT

Please. Mr. Brown's skills are impressive, even superhuman -- I'm a lowly literary translator, and can't even begin to imagine doing simultaneous interpretation at the kind of level he does. But the notion that there's only one such person is, to put it politely, horsepuckey. I personally know two UN-certified interpreters, both of whom speak Chinese at an educated native level of fluency; one of them is also UN-certified in French and similarly fluent in Cantonese.

Meanwhile, the notion that it's somehow remarkable for a non-Chinese person to speak good Chinese is unbelievably tiresome. Just recently I was in a taxi in Beijing chatting with the driver when about 20 minutes into the conversation, I made some reference to 'how we do things in America.' The driver looked back, saw my face -- and proceeded, having believed me to be Chinese for the previous 20 minutes, to spend the next 20 minutes explaining to me why Westerners could never *really* learn Chinese. Your article is a more sophisticated expression of the same bias.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Lawrence M, Atlanta USA — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:03:40 GMT

For those of you who speak only English, chill. The frenzy to learn Japanese in the '80s because of perceived business-world domination turned out to be unnecessary. Plenty of people who learned Japanese and even spent time there working returned to the U.S. to find their skills useless and unvalued, and they soon forgot their Japanese. So now it is Chinese? I still think Spanish will be more valuable for Americans than Chinese. Unless of course your goal is to be able to brag about your darling children's Chinese ability.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Delmar Fairchild, Barron, WI — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:14:51 GMT

Most Americans can't speak or write their own language. This gentleman can speak the hardest language of all. He must be very intelligent and very dedicated to learning.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

MizSR — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:24:59 GMT

As to Wing Ho's comment that Cantonese is not a dialect, I had a linguistics professor who taught us that the main diffrence between a dialect and a language is that a language has an army. I think many speakers of maginalized "dialects" would agree.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Jason, Plano, TX — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:28:41 GMT

To Benny Bradshaw and others who think that it should be everyone else's responsibility to learn English:

http://xkcd.com/84/

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Jay K. NY Currently Beijing — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:08:55 GMT

Wow, good read and kudos to the man who sends his two daughters to a chinese language school back in the states.

What Lin Shaw of Portland, Oregon stated was correct, although her typing was in 繁体字(traditional chinese characters...more strokes, more headaches, more painful to right!)

the majority of the Mainlanders use the simplified version of Chinese, which I thank God it has been switched during the early 1900s. As a current student studying in Beijing, I can attess that the language is very difficult...Heck my listening, 听力,is so horrible.

Besides Mr. Brown, there is a very famous caucasian who is known in the Chinese World. Although not American, he is simply known as "Da Shan 大山“-meaning big mountain. He was very popular in the 1980s and still is to this day; with many Chinese stating his chinese is better than most chinese people! My two roommates who are Chinese, always speak of Da Shan when they think of a foreigner who speaks chinese. He was Canadian.

I suggest for anyone to learn at least two foreign languages. The benefits in the business world are limitless!

you can see Da Shan in a Beijing University speech here. Amazing!
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_cj00XODM0MjM1Ng==.html

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Mr. J. Brown, State Department — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:22:25 GMT

Thank you all for the comments.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

John — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:53:33 GMT

There's a Canadian guy who I've seen on CCTV doing Chinese language lessons. I forget his name, but apparently he's well known, especially in Canada. He's blond, wears glasses and apparently it is a sort of recognition thing for him to wear this Chinese style long sleeved red shirt with black cuffs and collar. His Putonghua (Mandarin) and Gongdonghua (Cantonese) are quite excellent.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Jared — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:06:52 GMT

I learned Mandarin starting in 1994. By the end of my two year term as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) I could speak, read, and write in the language. I read a couple books and could read newpapers when I came home. I also know how difficult it is to interpret as Mr. Brown does, as I had to do this in several meetings, without any formal training. Its too bad I haven't kept up my language abilities since I've been back in the states, but I don't get many opportunities in Wyoming.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Tony Hudson, San Diego, CA — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:52:27 GMT

My Grandfather was a translator During and after WWII. He says that to become a translator one had to attend school in Monterey, CA at a school run by the Navy and that the fluency requirements were really hard to meet. Jim Must be an amazing guy. My grandfather spoke 7 languages and he was only allowed to do government translation in his native italian, german, and spanish.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

M Jee, Los Angeles, Calif. — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:23:25 GMT

Jim Brown has learned to be humbled and I'm sure the man is not shy but the manner of the intrepeter is sitting in the back of the superior with his head downward. I too have become a fan of his expertise Mandarin even from an Asian point of view.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Ric Swenson, JingDeZhen, China — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:45:28 GMT

I have enjoyed reading this thread regarding Chinese language. I teach oral English to college students here in China. Most students can read and write English well, but most have little practice in speaking English. At this college there are three Americans teaching oral English and the students are very eager to learn, even if their major is not English. Mandarin is difficult to speak fluently, but I get along with a smile and a handshake to go with my mispronounced phrases. At 60 years of age, learning a new language is not as easy as learning Spanish was when I was 14 at Beaverton High School.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Medvedev, New York — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:08:35 GMT

With internet translation easy to find and youtube offering many languages we should all now understand different languages better.
Although the internet has further made English the main language in the communications world.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Jennifer McDevitt, Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:55:05 GMT

Look, anyone who speaks a second language should be applauded, but come on, it seems that most Americans have the one language syndrome.

Richard Engel taught himself Arabic - think that is an easy feat?
Jennifer McDevitt

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Detlef Karthaus — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 03:00:34 GMT

If we hope to increase our linguistic abilities so that we can master Chinese, maybe we should start with something simple. The Chinese have already understood this and are teaching Esperanto at 10 universities as a preparation for other language studies.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Austin TX — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:21:26 GMT

US Diplomats and foreign servants get to go to language school training for 2 years before they are dispatched overseas. It is considered a perk - all they do is study foreign languages and they get to live for a year overseas with full pay, and free housing,and even their kids get to go to private schools for free. Then there is a nice salary bonus based on their final exam results just for completing the schooling. The Government should applicants pay for language training instead of placing the burden on US taxpayers.

So it is not surprising that this guy can speak Chinese. But it is very surprising that Paulson did not use a native speaker for his meetings with the Chinese. A non native, even if he trained for 2 years at FSI- could very well slip up and cause an international incident.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Brett, HCMC, VN — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:47:21 GMT

Talk about a picture of Dorian Gray! Interpreters and translators are definitely different fish, anyone with the mastery of complete reversals with interpretation must be good. I've met many well studied linguists that I criticize (hypocritically) for an inability to master their profession. I can't imagine the stress that would center around diplomacy let alone being a functional interpreter. [Many people are flawed in their own language already]

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Raymond E — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:21:56 GMT

The complaints by diplomats at the State Department over "directed assignments" provides a window into what appears to be an old boy network at State. Foreign Service officers swear an oath to the Constitution and commit to a life of national service. Our diplomats should go where they are told, learn Chinese or whatever they need for their jobs, and if they do not believe in the mission, they should step aside.

Mystery Mandarin expert is one of a kind

Alex Robinson — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 11:47:53 GMT

He has to be a Mormon. They are trained to speak like natives. They always go in twos and mix with the locals, and pick up the language because they are only allowed to communicate in English twice a year. And you will find a disproportionate number of Mormons at all US Embassies. It would be cool to find out where he was sent and how long it took him to learn Mandarin well enough to get a job in the foreign services of the State Department.