英語角-圓桌會議 RoundTable - 主持人禁說方言

Topic1 Ambulance Refuses to Transport BabyTime is money. We use this saying to describe the importance of time. However, some first-aiders in Hunan misplace their focus on "money" instead of "time".

Last month, a 13-month-old toddler dies following an ambulance delay over a payment dispute.

Should it have happened?

Topic2 Is BRT really necessary?

Guangzhou Municipal Audit Bureau has released a specific audit of the city's BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) lane in plan. Data shows building a BRT lane is exceedingly more expensive than building a bus lane, while the running speed of the two lanes are about the same.

In Beijing, there are four BRT lines. The first one was put into use in 2004. Later on, more and more cities are planning to build BRT lanes to develop public transfer system.

What does the audit report say?

Topic3 New Year Eve Dinner CheaperThe Chinese lunar New Year is coming in less than a month, and usually at this time of the year restaurants are almost fully reserved for the most important dinner in a year, the New Year Eve dinner.

However, this year, many restaurants still have plenty of vacancies and even offering discounts and customized services to attract customers.

What is going on now?

Topic4 Anchors Should Avoid Using Dialect/SlangState Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television recently urges radio and TV hosts to speak mandarin in shows unless for special occasions; hosts should not imitate pronunciation or expression from dialects with strong characteristics; hosts should not use slang and vulgarism that hurts standard language.

Is such a rule necessary?

Topic5 Celebrity Weibo posts with advertisements in disguiseProduct placements have made their way to China's social networking websites.

Celebrities trying out new products and recommending them on their personal weibo, or micro-blog might have been paid to do so to help sell a product of certain brand.

How widespread is the practice?

Topic6 Ban Boys and Girls from Eating Together in CanteenBesides washing hands before meal and putting the trays in the right place after meal, there is a new rule for some high school students who eat in school canteen, which is do not sit together with classmates of the opposite sex.