General Discussion

NewJeffCT

(56,828 posts)

31. umm, geez

Mon Dec 24, 2012, 10:29 PM

Dec 2012

my wife is from mainland China, I've been to China several times and also have a lot of relatives in China. I know dozens of Chinese well, including many who went to top schools here in the US and/or top schools in China and are working in very high level positions here in the US - business executives, stem cell research scientists, engineers, doctors, college professors, etc. Unless they came here when they were very young, some of the English words used in that letter are not typical uses of the English language by Chinese.

Also, Hong Kong is a special area of China where citizens of mainland China need special approval just to enter Hong Kong. They also speak Cantonese in Hong Kong, while mainland China speaks Mandarin.

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54 replies

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Highlight:

Chinese forced labor camp worker puts haunting note pleading for help into box of Kmart decorations [View all] Arugula Latte Dec 2012 OP

oh my... limpyhobbler Dec 2012 #1

Yes, that is a big concern. Arugula Latte Dec 2012 #2

I'd file this one under 'possibly true' RZM Dec 2012 #3

A lot of English for a labor camp worker NewJeffCT Dec 2012 #4

Not only a lot of English, but, for the most part, Arkansas Granny Dec 2012 #6

Could have asked someone to write it for the person adieu Dec 2012 #7

It is not unlike a communist government to jail intellectuals. Quite common really. humblebum Dec 2012 #54

According to the article, the letter is being taken seriously arikara Dec 2012 #8

In China, a "a labor camp worker" can be a doctor, a scientist, or even a language professor Shampoobra Dec 2012 #10

The note mentioned "Falun Gong" derby378 Dec 2012 #11

Wow. That is a wonderfully ignorant view. slampoet Dec 2012 #15

And I live in China. And you have no idea what you're talking about Nanjing to Seoul Dec 2012 #19

umm, geez NewJeffCT Dec 2012 #31

Lots of Chinese students study in the US. Some may not fit in too well when they go back to China. JDPriestly Dec 2012 #16

Hate to break it to ya, but DonCoquixote Dec 2012 #17

Again. . .no! I teach A level, AS level, IGSCE and taught AP here before Nanjing to Seoul Dec 2012 #20

You've been in China 6 years and you still have that view? tarheelsunc Dec 2012 #22

Live here, meet factory workers here. . .then you will understand my apprehension to believe Nanjing to Seoul Dec 2012 #25

How dense are you? read the article - it's a forced labor camp, not some foxconish factory Democracyinkind Dec 2012 #26

We do the same thing. Chain Gangs, military sentences at hard labor. Nanjing to Seoul Dec 2012 #27

here is why I disagree with you here DonCoquixote Dec 2012 #30

China=USA? You're fucking delusional, buddy. Democracyinkind Dec 2012 #37

I share your apprehension, but... Marengo Dec 2012 #47

Not true obamanut2012 Dec 2012 #44

Chinese and English are vastly different languages Quantess Dec 2012 #49

many educated people work in hell in china. I wouldn't discount this on language. roguevalley Dec 2012 #28

Ding ding malaise Dec 2012 #32

Who do you think the labor camp workers are? Illiterates? Or political prisoners? KittyWampus Dec 2012 #35

No kidding. laundry_queen Dec 2012 #39

I wonder if this is a Bain company. K&R Fire Walk With Me Dec 2012 #5

kr HiPointDem Dec 2012 #9

message in a bottle... ReRe Dec 2012 #12

Oh my.... riverbendviewgal Dec 2012 #13

On the other hand agent46 Dec 2012 #14

That looks like the standard style of paper found here in any Chinese stationery store Nanjing to Seoul Dec 2012 #18

it's a forced labor camp not a factory. KittyWampus Dec 2012 #36

you're the third person to point out the difference to him... Democracyinkind Dec 2012 #38

Falungong refererence, I'm not into the philosophy. I detest all saidsimplesimon Dec 2012 #21

It just might be 'the way" to egalite, fraternite, and liberte, however. WinkyDink Dec 2012 #48

k&r Liberal_in_LA Dec 2012 #23

While I don't doubt horrible conditions exist in China Beams1969 Dec 2012 #24

I grew up on "China Hill" in Oakland XemaSab Dec 2012 #33

Agreed obamanut2012 Dec 2012 #45

what the Letter says happens is True, whether or not it was really written by a worker JI7 Dec 2012 #29

One thing is for sure. It won't be changing anytime soon. raouldukelives Dec 2012 #34

If true, and I believe it, DiverDave Dec 2012 #40

So many in this thread have completely missed the point. Le Taz Hot Dec 2012 #41

Thank you for saying that. truebluegreen Dec 2012 #42

We already know that obamanut2012 Dec 2012 #46

Hoax obamanut2012 Dec 2012 #43

same thing happed to some chinese people I knew years ago, remember Formosa? Sunlei Dec 2012 #50

How many of US call centers are using prison labor here... WCGreen Dec 2012 #53

Sticking a note in a box sulphurdunn Dec 2012 #51

Well, this shouldn't be too hard to look into, don't the costly trade agreements have grahamhgreen Dec 2012 #52