User:Tang Xinyan
My name is Estrella, and I am currently a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in English Translation at Hunan Normal University. I have laid a solid foundation in the field of English language and translation through my undergraduate studies at Guangxi University, where I majored in English. My academic pursuits have been complemented by practical work experiences that have enriched my professional skills. For example, during the ASEAN Expo, I served as an intern translator. This experience not only honed my translation skills but also provided me with opportunities to interact with professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds. I firmly believe that translation is more than a linguistic conversion; it is a bridge for cultural and intellectual exchange. I am committed to facilitating understanding and communication between different languages and cultures through my work. Looking ahead, I aspire to utilize my expertise on the international stage, contributing to cross-cultural exchanges.
NOV 7, 2024
I talked with Mira about making friends.
NOV 8, 2024
I talked with Mira about how to keep relaxed.
NOV 9, 2024
I talked with Mira about childhood memories.
NOV 10, 2024
I talked with Mira about my favorite film.
NOV 11, 2024
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NOV 12, 2024
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NOV 13, 2024
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NOV 14, 2024
I talked with Mira about my favorite song.
NOV 15, 2024
I talked with Mira about the climate change.
NOV 16, 2024
I talked with Mira about the travel plan to Japan.
NOV 17, 2024
I talked with Mira about the academic stress.
NOV 18, 2024
I talked with Mira about the Spring festival.
NOV 19, 2024
I talked with Mira about the cold weather.
NOV 20, 2024
I talked with Mira about my hometown.
NOV 21, 2024
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NOV 22, 2024
I talked with Mira about books and reading.
NOV 23, 2024
I talked with Mira about changes in the life.
NOV 24, 2024
I talked with Mira about Chinese traditional products.
NOV 25, 2024
I talked with Mira about learning another language.
NOV 26, 2024
I talked with Mira about something we can’t live without it.
NOV 27, 2024
I talked with Mira about the future job.
NOV 28, 2024
I talked with Mira about my best friend.
NOV 29, 2024
I talked with Mira about helping others.
NOV 30, 2024
I talked with Mira about robots.
DEC 1, 2024
I talked with Mira about perfumes.
DEC 2, 2024
I talked with Mira about old buildings.
DEC 3, 2024
I talked with Mira about learning languages.
DEC 4, 2024
I talked with Mira about weekend plans.
DEC 5, 2024
I talked with Mira about exciting things.
DEC 6, 2024
I talked with Mira about jewelry.
DEC 7, 2024
I talked with Mira about staying up late.
DEC 8, 2024
I talked with Mira about holidays.
DEC 9, 2024
I talked with Mira about daily routines.
DEC 10, 2024
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DEC 11, 2024
I talked with Mira about artworks.
DEC 12, 2024
I talked with Mira about time management.
DEC 13, 2024
I talked with Mira about my favorite food.
DEC 14, 2024
I talked with Mira about resource conservation.
DEC 15, 2024
I talked with Mira about modernization.
DEC 16, 2024
I talked with Mira about the public traffic.
DEC 17, 2024
I talked with Mira about my travel to Hong Kong.
DEC 18, 2024
I talked with Mira about the future jobs.
DEC 19, 2024
I talked with Mira about Changsha’s weather.
Music and instruments: Yangqin（扬琴）
Yangqin, one of the essential struck string instruments in Chinese ethnic orchestras, is a remarkable one among Chinese national instruments with a blend of national and global characteristics. Introduced to China from Persia at the end of the Ming Dynasty, Yangqin has undergone nearly four centuries of evolution and development. Through the transformation by Chinese folk artists, and the influence of various regional music cultures, it has not only embraced traditional elements but also cultivated a distinctly Chinese national flair.
1. Origin Introduction
According to historical records, before the Middle Ages, an instrument called the Santur (the ancestor of the clavichord) was popular in ancient Middle Eastern countries such as Assyria and Persia. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), with the increasingly close friendly exchanges between China and West Asia as well as Southeast Asia, the Santur was introduced to China by sea from Persia in the eighth year of the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty (1580). Initially, it gained popularity along the coastal areas of Guangdong and later gradually spread throughout China. After being modified by Chinese folk artists, the Santur gradually evolved into what is now known as the Chinese Yangqin. In the late Qing Dynasty, courtly music was on the wane, while folk instruments gained in popularity, with Yangqin finding its place in the rich tapestry of local folk music performances. With the emergence and growth of rap music and local operas, the yangqin was widely used as an accompaniment for rap and operas.
2. Structural Components
Yangqin is composed of a resonator, nuts, bridges, strings, bamboo mallets, etc. The resonator forms the body of Yangqin, which is crafted by joining two side panels—front and back—with the left and right sides of the instrument head to create a frame, followed by capping it with thin panels on both the top and bottom. The nuts are long wooden strip on both sides of the soundboard. It is made of rosewood and serves to hold the strings in place. The length of the string from the nut to the bridge is the vibrating part that produces sound. The bridges are in the shape of long strips with peaks and valleys. They are made of bamboo, rosewood or cow bones. There are usually 2 to 5 bridges placed on the soundboard. The ones on the left are for high-pitched strings and are called high-pitched bridges, while those on the right are for low-pitched strings and are called low-pitched bridges. The protruding peaks of the bridges are used to hold the strings in place, and the recessed valleys allow other strings to pass through. The strings are made of steel wires (originally, they were made of copper wires). The high-pitched part uses bare strings made of steel wires numbered from 27 to 31, while the low-pitched part employs wrapped strings which are formed by winding fine steel wires around the bare strings. The bamboo mallets are two small elastic hammers made of bamboo, which are used to strike the strings to produce sounds.