OK folks, here's a Youtube video of Jia saying the Ni Mao Wo. In the mornings, it's accompanied by lots of crying and a little fit thrown in for good measure. Here, she's not quite so adamant - but she pulls out the whiney little girl in her to sound like she's really sad. There's so much manipulation in this child - and I don't think I can blame her - it's probably what she had to do at the orphanage just to get attention. Doesn't work too well around me... which is probably why she's so frustrated. Well - if anyone can tell me what she is saying - I would appreciate it! And if you have appropriate responses for it, please let me know the pinyin saying and what it means so I can tell her something.
9 comments:
Hi Julie--Danika's mom here (from the December group). Have you asked FTIA for help? Seems to me that they ought to be able to help. For conquering loudness, have you tried whispering to her? Sounds weird, but sometimes works with little ones. I enjoy your blog! Jan
I am Chinese but I can't say I understand what she is saying, however I am sure it is not baby talk, just a local dialect.
Since there are 42 minority groups in Jiamusi, HeiLongJiang, it is very possible she is not Han Chinese. The 4 most populated minority groups are Man, Korean, Hui, Mongolian, so it is very difficult to tell. Only the orphanage can solve the mystery.
But if taking away "Sang" or "San", "Ni Ma Wo" word by word could mean "You scold me" with the exact pronunciation in Mandarin. I don't know what triggered her to say those words, but it is not uncommon for a Chinese child uses these words to plead when she thinks she is in trouble.
If you can record other sentences or words that she said, maybe we can recognize if she is Han Chinese or not. If she can understand Mandarin, you will definitely find a lot of people to help you with some Chinese words to calm her down.
Yifan
Gosh Julie, I wish I knew. I would try the EALC department. Jia seems to have gotten accustomed to being on camera very quickly!
I remember repeating verbatim and with the same loudness my oldst niece's non-stop chanting when she was l8 months. She instantly looked embarrassed and lowered her voice a full octave. You might try saying the same thing in a very loud and then a soft tone, smiling more when you do the latter.
She seemed to be saying "I want you to hold me (or comfort me.)" You can say "Wo bau ni wu fun chung, how bu how?" It means I will hold you for five minutes, is that alright? While saying that, you might point to a time space on a clock face; or use an egg timer or small sand-filled hour glass.
To engage her, you can say: Wo min wan (let us play together.) /How bu how chi (is that delicious.)/ Ni quai (you are a good child.)
I am sure you are using a lot of gestures and facial expression already. Try to make it more of a game than an obstacle. I see you are laughing yourself in the video, that is cute. Best Wishes, you are just a great mom.
I have no idea, but she is darn cute.
Can you email me? I emailed your blog to our china coordinator and she told me what she was saying ;)
~stacy
wearechinabound@gmail.com
She wan't speak mandarin.I've no idea what she talking about.
I listened it again and again.It sounds like "ni ma wo?" that means"Are you blaming me?""Are you angry with me?" that day you repeated her words,she understood you didn't realize what that sentence means,so repeated your words with shy.I can't certain if she really mean it,although I lived in China for all my life 30 years.
If she really mean it , you can say" wo mei you ma ni, wo ai ni" (I didn't blame you,I love you,"ai" pronunciation "I")Next step we have to wait until she can speak English to tell you what she thinking
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