"Characters and Words in Learning and Teaching Chinese," December 7 at Pitt.

Dr. Lin Chen of the University of Pittsburgh's Learning and Research Development Center will present "Characters and Words in Learning and Teaching Chinese" on December 7.

Writing systems, the ways that orthography maps to phonology and semantics, influence word reading. In written Chinese, the character is a basic writing unit maps onto a single syllable morpheme. The morphosyllabic nature of Chinese writing system brings some challenges to Chinese learning and Chinese teaching. In this talk, I will present several empirical studies of Chinese word reading for adult Chinese learners and discuss the roles of characters and words in learning Chinese and the implications for teaching Chinese.

Dr. Lin Chen is a Research Associate at Learning Research & Development Center, University of Pittsburgh. She earned her PhD in Psychology and worked as a post-doc in Applied Linguistic for two years. She was an associate professor at Sun Yat-sen, China before she moved to US. Her research focuses on universal and language-specific reading procedures across writing systems, and the writing system constraints on second language acquisition and teaching instruction.

The talk starts at 12:00 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).

New Chinese movie A Cool Fish (无名之辈) in Pittsburgh, from November 30.

The new Chinese movie A Cool Fish (无名之辈) will play at AMC Loews in the Waterfront from November 30. The movie, which premiered in China on November 16, was its number one film the weekend of November 23rd. The distributor summarizes:

A low-end robber, a roguish security guard, a potty-mouthed but disable hellcat, and a group of nobodies, their life paths start intersecting one day because of a lost gun and a heist, which leads to a series of comical accidents.

Tickets are available online via Fandango. The theater is located at 300 West Waterfront Dr. in the Waterfront shopping complex in Homestead (map), across the Monongahela River from Greenfield, Squirrel Hill, and the rest of Pittsburgh.

Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business hiring bilingual Mandarin-English student worker.

Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business is hiring a bilingual Mandarin-English student worker for its Master of Science Programs.

The University is seeking a student employee for the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, MS Programs Office. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to gain valuable workplace skills which can be applied throughout their career.

The main role of the office assistant will include providing office support integral to daily functioning of the school and support with special events and activities. Additional responsibilities include: support various staff on special projects, assist recruitment staff by preparing materials for prospective and newly admitted students, and supporting staff with day-to-day office functions such as interdepartmental mail, reception area support, and maintaining professional customer service to current and prospective students.

Adam Liu Holiday Concert "East Meets West Series 2"—featuring erhu, guqin, pipa, and xiao performers—December 2 in Allison Park.

Lydia Music Center in Allison Park presents Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Assistant Principal Cello Adam Liu for a Holiday Concert on December 2. The event, titled "East Meets West Series 2," will also feature performers of traditional Chinese instruments erhu, guqin, pipa, and xiao.

Adam Liu Holiday Concert "East Meets West Series 2" Brought by Lydia Music Center and Pittsburgh Symphony Assistant Principal Cello Adam Liu. It will be held on 12/2/2018 7:00 pm at St Paul's United Methodist Church. Featuring Adam Liu, cello, Erhu; John Snatchko, piano; Jin Yang, Pipa; Ying Hao, Guqin; Junyan Tao, Xiao; Bonita Liu, Singer, James Lesniak, piano.

Admission:
Adult-$10; Student- $5
Lydia Music Center Students are Free (include String Rental Students and previous all students)
Refreshments will be served after concert (cookies, fruits, soft drinks)

The concert will be held at 1965 Ferguson Road in the North Hills suburb of Allison Park (map).

"ASA Culture Fair: Journey to the East" at Pitt, December 2.

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Students Alliance, in collaboration with numerous other on-campus organizations, will present the ASA Culture Fair on December 2.

The Asian Students Alliance alongside the umbrellas the Chinese American Students Association, Filipino Students Association, Korean Student Association and the Vietnamese Student Association are proud to present Culture Fair: Journey to the East. In collaboration with Pitt Wushu, FRESA, SASA, JSA, PantheRaas and Pitt Nrityamala, we invite you to join us for an afternoon of performances, games and FREE FOOD.

On Sunday December 2nd we will take you along on our Journey to the East. Catch a glimpse of each participating orgs culture; indulge in delicious dishes from all around Asia and engage in countless games and activities.

It runs from 3:00 to 5:00 pm in the William Pitt Union's Ballroom.

New Japanese animated film Mirai (未来のミライ), in Pittsburgh on November 29, December 5, December 8.

The new Japanese animated film Mirai (未来のミライ) will play in Pittsburgh from November 29. A synopsis, from the distributor:

From acclaimed director Mamoru Hosoda (Summer Wars, Wolf Children) and Japan’s Studio Chizu comes MIRAI, a daringly original story of love passed down through generations. When four-year-old Kun meets his new baby sister, his world is turned upside down. Named Mirai (meaning “future”), the baby quickly wins the hearts of Kun’s entire family. As his mother returns to work, and his father struggles to run the household, Kun becomes increasingly jealous of baby Mirai... until one day he storms off into the garden, where he encounters strange guests from the past and future – including his sister Mirai, as a teenager. Together, Kun and teenage Mirai go on a journey through time and space, uncovering their family’s incredible story. But why did Mirai come from the future?

An official selection at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, and the epic capstone of director Mamoru Hosoda’s career, Mirai is a sumptuous, magical, and emotionally soaring adventure about the ties that bring families together and make us who we are.

The movie will play in the Pittsburgh area on November 29, December 5, and December 8, with some shows dubbed in English and others in Japanese with English subtitles. It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, the Cinemark Theaters in Monroeville and Robinson, the Regal Crown Center Stadium theater in Washington, and the AMC Classic Westmoreland in Greensburg. Tickets are available online.

Happy Home Buffet Sushi & Grill opening on McKnight Road, November 29.

Happy Home Buffet Sushi & Grill will open on McKnight Road, in the former location of TJ Asian Buffet and Tokyo Sushi Buffet, on November 29. Earlier this year the site was slated to be the home of a Phantom Fireworks.

The opening of an Asian buffet isn't ordinarily newsworthy, but in the past year or so several in the area have closed, including Old Town Buffet (formerly Misaki) on Route 51, Dynasty in Cranberry, and Sushi Cho (formerly York Buffet) in Robinson. Happy Home will be located at 4801 McKnight Road in the North Hills (map), in an outparcel in North Hills Village next to Best Buy.

Pittsburgh Chinese School hiring teachers.

The Pittsburgh Chinese School is hiring teachers for its numerous language and subject classes held each Sunday in Squirrel Hill.

匹兹堡中文学校诚聘有爱心和责任心，有教学经验, 并有工作许可的有关人士加入教师队伍。

岗位要求:
1、热爱中国文化，并有热情将中国的文化广泛传播。
2、喜欢孩子，有爱心、耐心，责任心，有亲和力。
3、普通话发音标准清晰，语言表达能力强。
4、有基本的英语表达沟通能力。
5、有中文教学经验，尤其是有中小学教学经验者优先。
6、有教育或中文相关学历者优先。
7、文艺课教师有相关学历或工作经验者优先。

Mongolian-inspired "nomadic folk metal" band Tengger Cavalry in Pittsburgh, November 27.

Mongolian-inspired "nomadic folk metal" band Tengger Cavalry will play Spirit Lounge on November 27.

Tengger Cavalry, or "the army of sky god", is not only a Billboard-featured metal band, but also a symbol of nomadic warrior spirit that connects fans from all over the world. With a mix of throat singing, Mongolian fiddle and Central Asian instruments, the band performed a sold out concert at Carnegie Hall and featured in CNN, New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Local Asian-Appalachian folk music group Appalasia will open. Tickets for the 7:00 pm show are available online. Spirit is located at 242 51st St. in Lawrenceville (map).

"Kitsuke: The Art Of Kimono," December 4 at Pitt.

"Vivid kimono" by Raita Futo (Creative Commons).

The University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center will host Evan Mason and his workshop "Kitsuke: The Art Of Kimono" on December 4.

Through this interactive workshop, learn about the intricate art of dressing in kimono with expert and Pitt alumnus Evan Mason. The workshop will begin with a lecture on the culture and history of the kimono in Japan followed by a demonstration of kitsuke and an opportunity for participants to dress in yukata and try out their new skills!

It runs from 5:30 to 6:30 pm in 4130 Posvar Hall (map).