deathtrap Posted February 12, 2014 at 12:36 PM Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 at 12:36 PM I'm looking for some recordings of people considered to be excellent orators so I can shadow them and improve my pronunciation and accent. Does anyone have any links to any? I probably shouldn't be making any demands, but I ask kindly that not only do they have a good accent, pronunciation, but also that their speech and speaking skills be good as well. I'd like to also learn their rhythm, speed, and style as well. Thank you kindly! (and I hope I wasn't too demanding) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imron Posted February 12, 2014 at 01:04 PM Report Share Posted February 12, 2014 at 01:04 PM If you're a guy, go for 姜文. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathtrap Posted February 13, 2014 at 05:50 AM Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 at 05:50 AM Thanks! I've seen a few videos on Youtube. Seems pretty good(even though I can't tell good from bad!). Most of what I've found are interviews and I found 1 short speech. His speaking rhythm and pace seem pretty nice. If anyone has any more keep them coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imron Posted February 13, 2014 at 07:06 AM Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 at 07:06 AM Check out the movie《让子弹飞》or any of his other movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
戴 睿 Posted February 13, 2014 at 07:51 AM Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 at 07:51 AM out of curiosity, why 姜文？ I'm currently struggling with the same question as the OP as well. My Chinese friends all say my accent is incredibly 标准, but despite it's 标准-ness, distinctively 外国的. They say if they were only listening to my voice, they wouldn't be able to guess I was from America, or even white, but they would know I wasn't raised in China. So it's a difficult challenge - my pronunciation is about where it needs to be, but it's a goal of mine to sound like a native in accent as well. I've met plenty of Chinese with fantastic American and British accents, all of whom had not even left China till their collegiate years. I am convinced the reverse can be attainable. One thing I love about 姜文's voice is the deep, natural feel to it - but I feel like it also might be at the cost of clarity in pronunciation. Would you say that's the case? Would you say it matters? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted February 13, 2014 at 09:58 AM Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 at 09:58 AM Another voice I'll always be fond of is 董行佶, a 朗诵家. I used to have his reading of 骆驼祥子 (Rickshaw Boy) and you can still find it via the link in this audiobooks topic. Might need to be a bit older to pull it off properly though.... 姜文's a good one - northern, but not at all in your face about it. Both Imron and I spent most of our time in the north (姜文 grew up in Tangshan, next door to Imron's old stomping grounds), so I think we have a preference for that. I wouldn't mind sounding like 窦文涛 either. You could say his pronunciation isn't that clear, but it's clear enough and absolutely well within the limits for what you'll hear in real life. You obviously don't want to be making mistakes, but at the same time you don't want to always be talking like you're applying for an elocution professorship. Maybe take a look at this interview for what he sounds like when he's not acting. There, you can combine your shadowing with an audiobook, a movie, or a TV show. Value for money on this site, can't deny that... Also - what about some women? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imron Posted February 13, 2014 at 12:24 PM Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 at 12:24 PM out of curiosity, why 姜文？BecauseOne thing I love about 姜文's voice is the deep, natural feel to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imron Posted February 13, 2014 at 12:27 PM Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 at 12:27 PM 窦文涛 is ok, but also a little bit whiny at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
戴 睿 Posted February 13, 2014 at 06:04 PM Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 at 06:04 PM I'd also like to know if there are specific tips on how to make shadowing most effective in order to work towards "adopting an accent?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pingfa Posted February 13, 2014 at 06:44 PM Report Share Posted February 13, 2014 at 06:44 PM I wouldn't mind sounding like 吴秀波。 As for tips, I suppose it's mostly a matter of frequency. Take a few clips, familiarize yourself with them and reference them frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcdefg Posted February 15, 2014 at 02:48 AM Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 at 02:48 AM I've done this with lots of speeches by 温家宝。Of the current leadership, I like the style of 李克强 best and have used some of his speeches that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted April 1, 2014 at 11:16 AM Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 at 11:16 AM Deathtrap, how's your oration coming on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathtrap Posted April 1, 2014 at 03:04 PM Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 at 03:04 PM It's improving and definitely better than it was a month ago. I've been recording myself shadowing and speaking on my own with the same sentences. When I'm shadowing I seem to replicate the sounds just fine, but when I try on my own everything breaks down and I sound really foreign. I think it's a matter of practice because it's not a matter of inability to replicate the sounds but rather remembering what a native accent sounds like. Practice practice practice. As for timing and flow, I'm a hell of a lot better than I was considering I had almost no flow in Chinese at all and I wouldn't know where to put the stresses, pauses...etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelina Posted April 1, 2015 at 05:13 AM Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 at 05:13 AM out of curiosity, why 姜文 Because he is, you know, attractive. I can't find a good female. I don't like the 娃娃音. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted April 1, 2015 at 08:23 AM Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 at 08:23 AM Well, lets start with the first prominent female figure I think of, - would she do, and if not, what direction would you like to move in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelina Posted April 1, 2015 at 08:59 AM Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 at 08:59 AM I will check later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted April 1, 2015 at 11:25 AM Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 at 11:25 AM Here's a not-banned in China video link for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcdefg Posted April 1, 2015 at 11:29 AM Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 at 11:29 AM I particularly like her phrasing, her use of dramatic pauses. She manages to sound completely natural while still making a powerful presentation. Doesn't come across as "oratory," and I think that's the best kind. In passing, last week I spent 4 or 5 days with Chinese friends on a trip (to the South Yunnan Tea Mountains.) Her video came up for discussion half a dozen times. Was glad I had seen it. Everyone seemed proud of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makochan Posted April 4, 2015 at 02:46 AM Report Share Posted April 4, 2015 at 02:46 AM How about the "A Bite of China" documentary? You can even bring it in to Anki with subs2srs like tysond did: http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/42254-ideas-wanted-how-would-you-improve-this-study-process-for-new-vocabsyntax-acquisition/?p=318501 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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