This episode serves as an introduction to the genre and format of the LIC podcast, and also to myself as its host. Hopefully after listening, you will be able to decide if this podcast is of any interest to you.

Languages in Context

LIC #1 - Introduction

        这个现象挺有意思的：同样是说中文，对待同样的事情，说出来的话可以是很不一样的，这可能就是成语和俗语的区别吧。同时，读书人和不读书人、社会地位高和低的人，在说中文时也是能让人听出来几分的哟。This phenomenon is very interesting: Regarding speak Chinese, the same thing to say the words can be very different, which may be the difference between idioms and colloquial.  At the same time, Knowledgeable people and non- Knowledgeable people, and people of high and low social status can also be recognized when speaking Chinese.

四季人生（The Four Seasons of Life）

成语和俗语的区别（The difference between idioms and colloquial expressions）

       找人帮忙的时候，一定要找那个真正有能力、能帮到点子上的人。就像我们学语言，每个学习者都像孙悟空一样，在这个特定的圈子里，施展着各种本事折腾过一阵子了，但是总有些难点、顽疾，就像悟空遇到的各类妖怪，打不掉也躲不过，这时候就要请菩萨帮忙了。有经验的老师就是这样的人。When looking for help, always look for someone who is really competent and can help with ideas. Just like our language learning, each learner is like Sun Wukong, who has been struggling with various skills for a while in this particular circle. However, there are always some difficulties and intractable diseases, just like all kinds of demons that The Monkey can't get rid of or avoid. At this time, we need to ask the Bodhisattva for help.  Experienced teachers are such people.

5-会哭的孩子有奶吃The baby that cries will be fed

        如果问学中文普通话的朋友：哪一部分最难？相信很多人都会说：“声调，四个声调。” 我经常对学生说：“说中文普通话就像唱歌一样，其实不难。” 或许有人会说：你这是：“站着说话不腰疼”，我要说的是：如果您把最困难的“四声”问题解决好了，说好普通话其实还是一件挺愉快的事情。

4-四声与四味Four sounds and four tastes

        在前面我们介绍的二十四节气中，现在处于立夏和小满之间，就是农谚所说的：“立夏之后是小满”。 立夏表示春天结束、夏天开始了。这个时节气温将明显增高，雷雨增多，庄稼进入生长旺期。民间有很多应节的活动。

立夏之后是小满Grain Buds comes after The Start of Summer

        母亲节，是一个感谢母亲的节日。在中国，这个节日既没有公共假期，也不像春节那样为大家所熟悉，但是，当这一天来临时，还真是很热闹的。Mother's Day is a holiday to thank mothers.  In China, there is no public holiday, nor is it as familiar as Spring Festival, but when the day comes, it is quite lively.  