Language expert reveals secret to success

According to modern theories, a language is either acquired - absorbed subconsciously and a part of you - or merely learnt, says Huang Gaowen, professor of linguistics at the Foreign Language Institute at Sun Yat Sen University.

Tips from the masters:

Kerry Burton (Business Development Director and occasional Chinese TV star)

How yelling 'duck' had them rolling on the ground

My Chinese language teacher was in hysterics after finally understanding the meaning of an unusual colloquial English phrase. Her previous student, my Aussie mate Ben, had written the colorful phrase on the whiteboard, and told teacher Ding that I would translate before class began.

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BEIJING

Life Pulse

Pulp friction?

Some faint, some get angry and some are ready to fight, all in front of television cameras. They're not actors but common everyday people who willingly share their personal stories - good or bad - for the sake of melodramatic talk shows that are becoming more popular every day.

How marriage made a monkey out of me

Certainly, the wedding ceremony of my recent marriage was among the most awkward moments of my life - mostly because I didn't know it was happening until after we'd been pronounced "man and wife". And this surprise ceremony took place in front of my girlfriend, who, regrettably, wasn't the woman I married.

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Made in china Supplement

Auto heavyweight SG continues winning streak

The Liaoning Shuguang Automotive Corp Ltd (SG Automotive Group), a company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, is an important international automotive industry group and one of the nation-wide bases for whole car exports.

Rules and regulations for legally binding a union of love

Foreigners must obtain certificate of marriageability from their embassy or consulate. You will need your passport, notarized copies of official divorce documents (if applicable), your partner's national ID card and hukou (resident permit).

Life Expat