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Chinese Romanisation: Why Pinyin is Inaccurate
Added: 06/04/2004
By: Mark P. Tjan
Excerpt: "The translation systems of Wade-Giles and Yale successfully reproduced the majority of sounds and made Chinese accessable to occidental scholars throughout the West. After the communist revolution of the 1950's however, China founded its own version of romanisation called "hanyu pinyin", which they proposed was more accurate than either Wade-Giles or Yale. When they brought it before the United Nations, it was accepted as the "official" standard, an unfortunate decision which has caused no end of confusion among non-Chinese speaking Westerners."

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Anime and Manga: Why Not to Draw It
Added: 06/04/2004
By: Mark P. Tjan
Excerpt: "There is an unfortunate tendency in young artists to copy the most prevalent pop-culture media of their era, rather than focusing on the basics of artistic construction. Many amateur artists in fact believe that any sort of "stucture" to their drawing would ruin its integrity, not realising that by acquiring structure, they give more life to that integrity they hold so dearly. Other times, it's an excuse to be lazy and refrain from learning the basics. This is unfortunately the case with most amateur occidental "manga" artists."

Last updated on 06/04/04