Animal Rights Commercial in China
Apr 23rd, 2007 by LKS
I often listen to 中国之声–“The Voice of China”. It helps maintain my Chinese proficiency, and some of the shows are actually pretty good. In the past year or so, they’ve begun broadcasting different commercials and public announcements before the show. This one made me laugh. The scene is a classroom:
(Translation–see bottom for Chinese transcription)
Teacher: “Students, what kinds of animals are shown in these pictures?”
All students together: “Teacher, I know!”
Student1: “That’s a snake!”
Student2: “That’s a turtle!”
Student3: “That’s an armadillo!”
Teacher: “Right! Now, does everyone know where these animals live?”
Student1: “In water!”
Student2: “In caves!”
Student3: “In trees!”
Student4: “No! Teacher, they’re all wrong. These animals all live in cages at restaurants!”
Teacher: “Huh?”
**Slow, melancholy music plays**
Narrator: “If these animals don’t disappear from our dinner tables, then one day, they will disappear from our children’s sight.”
—————————————————————————————-
The Voice of China is, I believe, meant primarily for Chinese viewers–all the programs are in Chinese–so I think it’s safe to say that the presence of this commercial demonstrates a somewhat sincere effort by the Chinese government to affect the eating habits of its people. Although from my experience the people that are eating wild animals are probably not listening to this station.
老师: “同学们，图片上都有什么动物啊?”
所有的学生: “老师，我叫!”
学生甲: “这是蛇”
学生乙: “这是乌龟!”
学生丙: “这是穿山甲!”
老师: “对了! 那大家知道，这些动物住在哪里吗?”
学生甲: “在水里!”
学生乙: “在山洞里!”
学生丙: “在树上!”
学生丁: “不对老师！ 他们都住在饭馆儿的笼子里!”
老师: “嗄?”
