I hate Dashan, and it’s 20% jealousy, 80% because he’s a spineless coward who sold his soul to Jiang Zemin.

It’s moot though considering Chinese is essentially the guy’s mother tongue. I don’t think he was really trying to impress anyone. Just chronicling his experiences become literate in Chinese.

As odd as this sounds, I think it would be great for someone with Dashan’s skills to step up to the plate and somehow show the Chinese people that there are people of all shapes and colors who can speak Chinese.

Remember how multi-cultural Sesame Street was?

I think China could use something like that. Imagine if Chinese kids could watch black people, white people, Chinese people all cooperating and singing songs together on the same street. Hell, why not get a little ambitious and throw in some Japanese, Koreans, and Xinjiang Ren. I know they did some Sesame Street here, but to my knowledge, nothing that dealt with diversity.

And yes, I admit, I was probably a bit harsh in this post. I’m sure Max is a good guy, and I certainly wish no harm come to his nads. Apologies for the brain fart.

Agreed, but Dashan has never come off like a douche to me. I’m not a fan of him, but have never encountered anything to make me dislike him.

Pasden’s opinion seems to be dictated somewhere between jealousy and anger at the Chinese for their recognition of Dashan. As if Dashan should be condemned for the playing the (fortunate) hand he’s been dealt. Perhaps Mr. Pasden thinks Dashan should fight for the acknowledgment of everyone everywhere who has mastered Chinese or English as a second language? Think of the poor language students, Dashan’s notoriety screwing us out of lucrative television deals? If Dashan weren’t around, then Chinese certainly wouldn’t have the flawed perception that only one foreigner can master their language. That is, until the Chinese media/public at large cherry-pick another single foreigner to play the roll Dashan does, because that seems to be what the Chinese public are comfortable with.

Perhaps Dashan should bring down his dictionary empire because he has white skin. Maybe jealousy was the wrong word, but there is definitely a stench of bitterness.

No. Not quite jealousy, because to be honest, I don’t really have any desire to master Chinese. I’m happy with conversational. I’m soon leaving China, and have no immediate plans to study Chinese any further.

I was reading John Pasden’s take on Dashan this morning, where he explains his reasons for not liking Dashan:

“He’s not the only foreigner to speak perfect Chinese, but he seems to be the only one recognized. He has the monopoly on Chinese skills. I think the Chinese find it amusing and touching that a foreigner can speak such perfect Chinese, but then simultaneously find his singularity somehow comforting. It goes without saying that the hard work and bitter struggle of any Asian that becomes fluent in Chinese is hardly acknowledged.”

Maybe it’s the fact that he represents a flawed perception of foreigners in China — i.e. that only one of us can master this language.

Maybe it’s the fact his dictionary empire could never have been built without his white skin. (Could an Asian Canadian have done the same?)

Maybe it’s his dorky appearance…

Yes, I’d love to have Dashan’s skills for sure. But that’s not why I dislike him. Similarly, the reason I dislike Barry Bonds is not because I’m jealous of his skills. It’s just because he’s a douche.

There’s nothing pretentious about that video either. I’m not sure what about it gets you riled up, other than our old pal jealousy again. I’m not sure what there is to be jealous at. Suggest you not let it bother you.