On this page we provide an English translation of track 41 in book 4 of New Practical Chinese Reader, a popular textbook for Mandarin learners published by the Commercial press. You can follow the translation by reading it in unison with the YouTube video above that features the audio of track 41 from book 4 of New Practical Chinese Reader.
New Practical Chinese Reader Book 4 Track 41-1
This dialogue features a conversation between a law student called Songhua and his friend Xiao Yun. They discuss his plans after he graduates and then move on to have a more general discussion about the benefits of being a lawyer in China.
| Time | Track 41 – Dialogue 1 Translation |
| 0:10 | Xiao Yun: ‘Song Hua, what do you plan to do after graduation?’ |
| 0.15 | Song Hua: ‘I’d like to work for a company for a few years to become familiar with all aspects of how a legal company works. After that I would like to open my own legal practice. |
| 0:23 | Xiao Yun: ‘That’s a really good idea. In our country being a lawyer is considered a new profession and a lot of people are reluctant to bring lawsuits. Also they don’t understand in what ways lawyers can help them. However, they are beginning to get an idea of the extent to which lawyers can help them defend their rights. I think people will need lawyers more and more.’ |
| 0:50 | Song Hua: However, my Father’s viewpoint is very different. He believes I should take the state exams and become a public servant, for example a judge or a teacher. My mother also wants me to to work for a state company. They both disagree with my wish to become a lawyer. They say that lawyers depend on other people to bring lawsuits in order to make money. This is not like being a civil servant which provides a steady income. |
| 1:12 | Xiao Yun: Yes, I remember now. Last time I went to your house, they spoke in this way? Did you agree with their opinion? |
| 1:21 | Song Hua: Of course I don’t agree. My Father wants me to get a stable job, one with a salary from the state. To have a comfortable and stable life. |
| 1.32 | Xiao Yun: In your parents generation when people graduated they were assigned by the state to a job. You went wherever you were sent. Even if you had your own idea, you had to obey the state’s demands. |
| 1.46 | Song Hua: Yes, indeed it was just like that. In terms of this question our generation has a completely different idea. Unlike our parents the first thing we look for in a job is whether we like it and whether it will allow us to achieve our dreams. We also look to have challenges in our life and competition in our work. |
| 2.03 | Xiao Yun: “And there’s something else: we also want to get a satisfactory salary.” |
| 2.09 | Song Hua: “Yes when my mum and dad hear I plan to open my own company they worry a lot. |
| 2.18 | Xiao Yun: “Don’t worry about old people’s opinions on this matter. You must strive hard to achieve your own dreams” |
| 2.22 | Song Hua: “Yes of course, that is right. These days many corporations and businesses need their own lawyers. Therefore the legal professionals are becoming more and more sought after with each day that passes. I want to get a great job, then my prospects will be great. Xiao Yun, What are your plans? |
| 2.40 | Xiao Yun: “First I want to take my postgraduate exams, but I haven’t and concrete plans. If I find a suitable job I will take it. Oh.. Outside is very dark.. |
| 2.55 | Together: Let’s go. |
New Practical Chinese Reader Book 4 Track 41 – 2
| Time | Track 41 – Dialogue 2 Translation |
| 6.21 |
After graduating from university Zhang Shan opened a broadcasting company. |
| 6.33 |
Along with many friends he worked very hard for many years and business became better and better. The business began to develop very quickly and now employs around 40-50 people. |
| 6.53 |
One day Zhang Shan phoned up one of the managers of the company called Fu Zong and asked him to come to his office. |
| 7.11 |
When Fu Zong arrived Zhang Shan told Fu Zong that over the last few years he had not ha da chance to take a holiday. He said that he would like to take a break for a couple of months. He continued: ‘For these two months I would like to hand over the affairs of the company to your hands. Unless there is a very important matter please don’t phone me up.’
|
| 7.26 | Fu Zong Replied:
‘Very good. Don’t worry, just relax and enjoy your holiday.’ |
| 7.35 |
Zhang Shan went home, but he couldn’t relax. He had lots ofd hobbies like watching plays. He also spent much of his time honing his abilities and keeping an eye on potential opportunities. |
| 7.48 |
Every day he looked at the job applications section of the newspaper. One day he came across an advertisement for a male leading role. He thought that if he became a famous actor in a movie it would present excellent opportunities for the development of his company. |
| 8.05 |
Also even if he failed it wouldn’t be a problem. If it didn’t work out he could always go back and replace the manager Fu Zong. |
|
8.15 |
Zhang Shan went to find the offices that were advertising the acting job. The selection process was extremely complicated. Firstly…there was an interview which he got through. After that he had an interview with the director, which he also passed. |
|
9.14 |
The director told Zhang Shan that so far they had interviewed over a hundred candidates for the acting job and Zhang was the only candidate that resembled what he had in mind for the leading role. |
|
9.21
|
Director: ‘Please sit down. Congratulations. The lead role is yours.’ Zhang Shan: ‘Really?’ Director: ‘Of course. So long as you agree, then we have made our decision. However, if you have any concerns about the position or change your mind about taking up the role our losses will be big. Therefore first we need you to pay us a fee of 1000 yuan to secure the role.’
|
|
9.48
|
Then in two weeks we will contact you and we can start work. If you can start work on schedule we will give you back your money
|
|
9.55
|
Zhang Shan: ‘Ok’ Director: ‘Great then please give me your telephone number’ |
|
10:06
|
Director: ‘Great, I will contact you within two weeks to come back here and start work…. Through there..’ |
|
10.36
|
Zhang Shan handed over a 1000 yuan, then cheerfully went home to await the notification by telephone. |
|
11.00
|
Two weeks went by and no-one had contacted him by telephone. |
|
11.06
|
On Monday of the third week he received a call at 6 0’clock in the morning. But it wasn’t the director who was calling, instead it was Fu Zong calling from Zhang’s company. |
|
11.17
|
Fu Zong said that there was an urgent issue and Zhang should return to the office as soon as possible. |
|
11.21
|
Zhang replied that he couldn’t return as he had his own important affairs to deal with. |
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11.26
|
Zhang: ‘Please discuss any matters between yourselves and come up with your own decision.‘ |
|
11.30
|
Fu Zong: ‘The problem is very important, you must take part in the discussion on how to deal with it.’ |
|
11.35
|
Zhang Shan told Fu Zong about the acting opportunity that he had been offered by the director.
|
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11.43
|
Fu Zong: Oh! I understand. The local police station have been calling you . The director you described has already been arrested, I have heard that he is a big cheat. |
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12:00
|
Zhang: Ahhh? A big cheat? Why did the newspaper put an advertisement from that type of person in their paper allowing anyone to be cheated? |