The Chinese Are Here

For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation.

Following World War II the communists led by MAO Zedong imposed strict controls that seemed to leave the country stagnant in the world's competitive markets. After 1978, MAO's successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled.

China is just slightly smaller in area compared to the United States but its population, according to the Central Intelligence Agency, is 1,338,612,968 (July 2010 est.). Not only is it the most populated country in the world but China now holds nearly half the $2.37 trillion stock of the U.S. Treasury debt held by "foreign official" owners, according to Simon Johnson, an economics professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a former chief economist for the International Monetary Fund.

Well, let's see ... they greatly outnumber us, they are ranked second in world economy having overtaken Japan. The United States is still ranked number one. And, in the vernacular of those of us raised in the south, we (the U.S.A.) owe them an ass load of money. Maybe it's time to learn how to speak Chinese.

Always trying to stay ahead of the curve, One Person's Views has assembled a quick and easy primer: "How To Speak Chinese in 5 Minutes." In order for this lesson to be effective you MUST read each word out loud.

• That's not right.                                             Sum Ting Wong
• Are you harboring a fugitive?                         Hu Yu Hai Ding
• See me ASAP.                                              Kum Hia Nao
• Stupid man.                                                  Dum Fuk
• Small horse.                                                Tai Ni Po Ni
• Did you go to the beach?                              Wai Yu So Tan
• I bumped into the coffee table                      Ai Bang Mai Fa Kin Ni
• I think you need a face lift.                            Chin Tu Fat
• It's very dark in here.                                    Wao So Dim 
• I thought you were on a diet.                         Wai Yu Mun Ching
• This is a tow away zone.                               No Pah King
• Our meeting is scheduled for next week.       Wai Yu Kum Nao
• Staying out of sight.                                       Lei Ying Lo
• He's cleaning his automobile.                        Wa Shing Ka
• Your body odor is offensive.                        Yu Stin Ki Po
• Great!                                                           Fa Kin Su Pah

Now that I've managed to offend a large segment of the world ... I hope you have a great week!