Communication is the key
By Philip Hand
Photos by Yao Fan



12月9日下午,由本刊主办的全国主流英文报纸业务研讨会在厦门国际会展酒店成功举办. 该会是国内首次英文报纸研讨会.

该会以总结双语周刊办报经验为始, 探讨国内主要英文报纸的发展现状与前景. 市委宣传部副部长林聪明到会并发表重要讲话. 《今日北京》, 《深圳日报》, 《广州英文早报》等国内主要英文媒体的负责人出席研讨会. 北京大学, 厦门大学等新闻研究专家, 我市几所高校的英语教育负责人, 外籍专家以及部分双语周刊读者代表也到会发言.

与会代表高度肯定了双语周刊的办报成果, 并希望双语周刊能借机更上一层楼, 为城市国际化贡献力量.

He Pingping, Executive Director of Beijing Youth Daily	Li Kun, Associate Professor, Peking University	Jian Rong, Executive Chief Ediotr, Beijing Today
Zhao Yanhua, Senior journalist of China Media	Shen Xianzhi, Deputy Chief Editor of Shenzhen Daily	Chen Peishan, Vice Manager of advertising department, Guangzhou Morning Post

On Friday December 9 Common Talk hosted the first ever bilingual seminar on English language newspapers in China. Editors from English language newspapers all over China came to share their expertise, providing a deep well of experience. The discussion ranged from the history of English language newspapers in China to marketing strategies, regulatory issues and content.

The success of the seminar was due in large part to the range of guests and speakers. As well as the visiting editors, the speakers also included Mr John Godwin, headmaster of the Xiamen International School; Dr Bill Brown, longstanding contributor and supporter of Common Talk; professors and educators from several schools and universities in Xiamen and around the country; long term readers, both Chinese and overseas; and journalists from the Chinese language media. All of these groups had different ideas and angles from which to analyze the current state of English language newspapers.



The core of the seminar, of course, was the examination of the English newspapers represented. Common Talk chief editor Wu Yayu kicked things off by explaining a little about Common Talk's history and current situation. He Pingping and Jian Rong from Beijing Youth Daily and its English language offshoot Beijing Today gave a brief account of their paper's struggle to fix its core readership. Originally started to serve the English speakers of Beijing, Beijing Today had found that it needed to attract Chinese readers as well in order to survive. Shen Xianzhi, the deputy chief editor of Shenzhen Daily, talked at length about the problems of translating Chinese concepts into comprehensible English. Chen Peishan, vice manager of the advertising department at the Guangzhou Morning Post, had some very useful advice to give about increasing advertising revenue and maximizing an English language publication's advantages.

The issue of reader identity was one theme that cropped up again and again. Of the newspapers represented at the seminar, two, Common Talk and the Guangzhou Morning Post, are bilingual, with both English and Chinese reports and vocabulary sections to aid learners. Beijing Today and Shenzhen Daily have only English language content, but both aim to serve Chinese readers as well. Ms Jian even talked about different sections of the newspaper being aimed at either the Chinese or the foreign readership, but not both. Mr Shen thought the issue was slightly more complex still: he divided readers into the three categories of foreigners, white-collar workers and English learners.



The question of a paper's links with advertisers and other companies was also a subject which many speakers touched on. Ms Chen explained how the relatively small size of the Guangzhou Morning Post allowed her to build strong relationships with advertisers, advising them on the design and presentation of their adverts. Mr Shen gave examples of organizations, like the tax office, which are eager to make contact with foreign residents, and so are willing to sponsor columns as well as buying advertising space. One excellent point made by Ms Chen was that the high educational level of the readership makes English language newspapers a perfect medium for job advertisements for senior management positions.

The teachers and educators gave warm commendations to Common Talk as a tool for studying English. Mr Godwin praised English newspapers as being part of the comprehensive language environment which learners need if they are going to be truly successful. Dr Brown also explained how crucial English information sources are in helping foreign residents feel at home and included in a Chinese city.



With many other suggestions, congratulations and some very constructive criticism from the other distinguished guests, the Common Talk team came away from the seminar with plenty of food for thought. As Mr He said, this was a rare opportunity for those working in English language media to hear some fresh ideas, and it is certain that all of those who attended will return to work in their various professions inspired by the care and thought that is going into guiding this young industry forward.


Vocabulary
seminar 研讨会
expertise 专业技能
analyze 分析
offshoot 分枝
at length 详细地
commendation 称赞

Glamorous party
双语百期答谢晚宴致辞
By Yayu Wu
Photos by Yao Fan



双语的一百期盛典, 我和我的同伴们可以说是百感交集. 报纸是冰冷的产品, 但报人是有血有肉有感情的, 在我们看来, 这份产品是带着热度带着情感的. 所以, 我更愿意说, 今天的相聚是共同来庆祝一个生命体的奇迹, 这份奇迹, 缘于双语, 成就于由双语而带来的与各位的相识, 相助, 所以, 深深的感谢诸位.

奇迹的诞生, 是上天的恩宠, 但奇迹的延续, 却是凡人的努力. 对于未来, 双语还要做更多.

首先, 它需要更有责任. 新的婴儿, 更多的是索取, 但长大, 更多是要奉献. 为这个居住的美丽国际花园城市, 为这个城市文明而勤奋的公民, 它有义务, 不断奉献制造更好的精神产品, 成为真正连接不同背景阶层的友谊桥梁, 为和谐的社会环境散发光与热.

其次, 它需要更加理性. 呱呱坠地的孩子可以哭闹来要求她的权利, 但成长起来的孩子却得要学会冷静, 客观, 理智和克制. 我个人和团队不断在失败中汲取教训, 是为了未来的每一步走得更为康健.



再次, 它需要更有耐心. 长大是一个过程, 罗马城不是一天筑就的. 我们走了多久, 一目了然, 但还要走多久, 还有多难走, 现在还是未知. 而对于任何不确定, 我们惟有耐心, 惟有宽容, 惟有坚持, 才能迎来最后的灿烂.

最后, 它需要各位更多的关爱. 爱是成就奇迹的动力和源泉, 善良是跨越时代和国界的共同情感. 双语每一步的成长, 承受着上天的眷顾, 饱受各位领导, 各界同仁, 还有许许多多没有到场的读者的关爱, 所以总能峰回路转, 云开月明. 期望在未来的每一天, 不管人生如何变幻无常, 我们的缘分和相伴能长长久久, 希望能跟各位共度我们的一千期, 一万期. 谢谢大家.

A newspaper is just an object, but behind it are people who have invested time and emotion in this object. To us, this celebration seems like a miracle, a miracle which shows itself in the community which has formed around the paper. For this, I want to extend my deepest thanks to our readers.

Common Talk was born by a happy chance, but it has grown through the hard work of our team. It represents our little contribution to the citizens of this beautiful city, our attempt to make life here more enjoyable for everyone, and we intend to do even more for Xiamen in the future.



We are still growing and learning with every issue. We try to take lessons from our mistakes, in an effort to make a better newspaper. But this is a long process, and we must be patient. Only with patience, tolerance and perseverance can we achieve our goals.

Finally, I want to ask for your help in this process. Common Talk needs your love to grow. I hope that in the future we will be together experiencing whatever changes fate sets for us. I look forward to welcoming you, our most loyal readers, at the celebrations for our 1,000th and 10,000th issues! Thank you everyone.



Champagne, cool entertainment and even sexier food. On the evening of December 10 in the dazzling International Club, Xiamen's most successful English publication Common Talk, Xiamen Daily, celebrated its triumphant 100th edition.

Although only in circulation for 3 years, Common talk has captured the heart and soul of many readers both in Xiamen and all over China.



Invited guests from the media and devoted readers celebrated Common Talk's vitality and prosperity in serious style at the glamorous International Club with the champagne flowing and some very sexy entertainment.

Hosting the bash was the well known radio DJ Oliver and editor of Common Talk Lily Li. With their humorous and sly banter the evening was off to great start. First to speak was Li Quandian, general editor of Xiamen Daily, who pointed out a rarely-mentioned aspect of Common Talk's success: it has never been criticized by any leaders - it has fully satisfied the need of readers and won the recognition of craft brothers.

Then, Common Talk's chief editor Wu Yayu and other media guests celebrated by opening a magnum of champagne that Mr Li insisted on trying to spray at the glammed up audience. Common Talk was toasted and wished well for the future.

Ms Chen Aijing, Director of Xiamen Foreign Afffairs also spoke highly of Common Talk, wishing it an even brighter and properous future.



Important guests that attended from the media include the director of Beijing Youth Daily He Pingping, executive chief editor of Beijing Today's Jian Rong, Shen Xianzhi, deputy chief editor of Shengzhen Daily, and Chen Peishan of Guangzhou Morning Post. Also in attendance was senior journalist Zhao Yanhua of China Media, and associate professor Li Kun from Beijing University. These fabulous guests reflect the popular growth of common Talk after just three years in publication.

As well as celebrated media guests Common Talk invited some of their most devoted readers. Mr Happy Hong, after 15 years started learning English again through Common Talk, wooed guests with a poem written especially for the occasion. The oldest reader Mr Wang Jinshu, at the ripe age of 74, is 60 years older than the youngest reader Hong Ying. These two readers together represent the accessibility of common talk to all generations.

Various celebrities also turned up to celebrate Common Talk's 100th edition. Dr Bill Brown (of Amoy Magic fame) made a speech praising Common Talk for putting Xiamen on the map.
The guests were then invited to watch some seriously cool entertainment. A trio of sexy belly dancers sassily shimmied across the stage. Next were the cool chilled sounds of talented Icelandic guitarist Runer, who famously visited Xiamen and liked it so much that when he returned home he decided to sell up and move here forever. Finally the audience was literally blown away by a yoga demonstration.



The evening was rounded off by a presentation of a traditional Thai elephant by Thai Deputy Consul to the chief editor of Common Talk.

The sparkling evening united new and old friends of Common Talk and showed that Common Talk still has a burning ambition to be the best English language newspaper on the market.

By Lucy Buckland
特别企划: 福瑞信文化传播公司

双语庆典晚宴特别鸣谢下列赞助商
国际会 巴黎春天百货 缘源珠宝 张裕白兰地·香槟·葡萄酒 SPR咖啡 可尔美进口果粒冰淇淋 珠玛瑜珈 快乐女子修养学堂 柔柔化妆篮 娇兰蔻儿美容纤体馆


Vocabulary
glamorous 迷人的
shimmy 摇动
woo 迷住
regale 愉悦
criticize 批评

XMS serenades CT readers
By Philip Hand
Photos by Yao Fan

12月11日下午, 双语周刊创刊百期暨厦门音乐学校建校十五周年庆典音乐会在中山路"动感地带"旗舰店举行. 双语周刊读者, 英语俱乐部会员和"动感地带"会员齐聚一堂, 度过了一个愉快的下午.



Sunday December 11. Common Talk readers were treated to a stunning display of musical verve and skill to round off the celebrations for their 100th issue. Teachers and students of the Xiamen Music School put on a concert to show off the cream of their talent and to add a bit of musical cheer to a dreary weekend.

Over 60 readers and music lovers gathered in the M-Zone theater in the shop on Zhongshan Road to listen to the concert, which involved nearly thirty performers. They ranged from little Chen Jin, in only her third year at school, to Guo Ying, already in the second year of the vocational high school.

The musical highlight for me was Huang Chenxing's expert performance of Robert Schumann's Abegg Variations, which captured the lightness and romance of the piece wonderfully. Li Jinhua, the other piano soloist, also gave a beautiful performance, finding terrific dynamics in Balakirev's The Skylark.



The most imposing stage presence, though, was undoubtedly Zhu Yunhong. A late addition to the program, and the only male soloist, Yunhong gave us perfect pop star stylings with his leather jacket and achingly fashionable glasses. He was recently awarded the bronze medal at the National Young Singers Competition, and he is certain to have set hearts fluttering with his extremely polished version of Zhuoma.

Winning the hearts of the older generation were the hostess Zhong Menglin, who conducted us through the program with great assurance, and Cheng Jin and Meng Shuxin. Both these young stars arrived onstage carrying pipas (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument looking something like a sitar) bigger than they were. As soon as they took their seats on the little plastic stools, however, it was clear that they had complete mastery over their instruments. With practiced glances across at each other to maintain their perfect synchronicity, the two primary school students gave a virtuoso demonstration. I have to admit to finding some pipa music rather difficult to understand and enjoy, but these girls might persuade me yet.



The presentation of the performers was immaculate. The violin troupe who closed the concert with Mendelssohn's lovely On Wings of Song were very smart in white shirts and trousers or dresses. The flautists Lu Yanfeng and Qiu Hong appeared as virginal angels in their white and pink ensembles. But the most fantastic costumes were Yueqing and Jinhua's dancing girl costumes. Even though the prude in me thought that Yueqing's short top was a little too small to be suitable, both girls seemed very much at home as northern dancers, and their performances of calling into the distance to a far away loved one were quite affecting.

The concert was another reminder of the amazing array of talent we have here in Xiamen. With national prize winners and performers as young as nine years old giving confident, enjoyable recitals, we can be sure that the music scene in Xiamen will continue to get even better. Common Talk has been a consistent supporter of classical music in this city, and will continue to push for more performances and bigger audiences.



The weekend of events in honor of our first 100 issues is now over, but we hope we have succeeded in marking the occasion with a bang, giving something back to our readers, and most importantly having some fun. It has been a great weekend, and we look forward to seeing more of the Xiamen Music School before we reach number 200.


Vocabulary
serenade 唱或奏情歌
verve 激情
dreary 沉闷的
variation 变奏曲
skylark 云雀
imposing 壮观的
flutter 颤动, 跳动
synchronicity 同时, 同步
virtuoso 行家
immaculate 完美的
prude 过分拘谨的人