Colin Pine?

and with all those cameras, reporters and fans around, he must be kinda nervous. I think he did a pretty good job under the circumstance.

 

Hope he does not get nervous in the NBA finals games.

 

Don't know anything about Chinese, but have been involved in a lot of situations where Spanish is being translated.

As one of the posters said, translation is difficult to do especially at first. I've seen native Spanish speakers hired as translators stumble around at first when they have to translate to English from Spanish. However, a few weeks or months later these same people do it very well. Perhaps Pine is just rusty and will pick up quickly as the days go on.

 

Okay, the guy may not have a perfect accent, but Yao understands him and he understands Yao. Mission accomplished.
I wonder if they need a backup translator, just in case Colin gets sick and has a sore throat.

 

I think Colin's pronuciation is fine. I know what he was trying to say in chinese though he made grammar mistakes now and then.
He is just like a new learner, speaking in words rather than
completed sentences.

I bet within 2 years, Ming's English will be better than Colin's Chinese.

 

Ya'll are all just freakin jealous.

Man I wished I would have paid more attention in my Chinese class at UT instead of checking out all the hotties. I would have had courtside seats to every rockets game right now.

 

I say the same thing about New York/New Jersey English.

 

He worked for a government? Nuff said.



Well, seriously I think he and Yao communicated well. Remember at the press conference a reporter asked if Yao spoke any English? Yao tried to respond in English but got stucked with "can't be at two places at one time". He asked Colin in Mandarin and Colin taught him to complete that phrase. I think that showed how Colin can do the job fast enough.

 

yeah, yeah... you're just jealous you didn't get the job!!

 

that explains why there is so many misunderstanding between two country

 

agree

 

in 2 years, that guy got fired, because Yao don't need any more translator

 

I think that it's no matter how good or how bad for speaking Chinese.
If he can understand Rudy's words , and teach Yao English, I think that's enough.

 

Colin was probably hired for his driving skills as well. You have to be a stunt(person) not to get hit over in Bellaire/Chinatown

 

Well, I can tell by reading some of the Chinese posters on this board that they're English isn't exactly perfect either. Having a translator who couldn't speak perfect English is about fifty times worse than the translator not being able to speak perfect Chinese. As long as it doesn't get to a point, where Yao is just flat out not understanding him, I think it will work out fine.

 

I like the trade idea. Let's trade him for the Mav's translator. He's got more experience and has been around other international players. They can send him to the Spurs for a translator draft pick next year and cash to help get another foreign player...

 

After reading just the title, I thought that's what this thread was about.

 

Eric Zhang did say that Colin Pine is not only an interpreter, but more importantly an English teacher to Yao to help him master the English Language, and he will also be the driver for Yao before he gets his driver's license.

 

As long as the guy can be understood by Yao Ming, it is a non-factor.
From what I saw, Yao Ming understands quiet a bit of English and doesnt speak it too badly..I think the translator is just there to help him with his English and help him avoid misunderstandings.

We should do for Pine just like we have to do for Yao Ming, give the guy some time to adjust..it will all work out.