The Pidgin Paradox available for Word & World subscribers
Hi all! A new video is available for Word & World subscribers, entitled "The Pidgin Paradox." It was a lot of fun making this one. Here's a description of the video content: The Pidgin Paradox | 洋泾浜语的悖论Why Some Borrowed Phrases Stick — and Others Don’t
Why did phrases like “long time no see,” “look-see,” and “no can do” enter everyday English — while vivid ones like “people mountain people sea” never quite caught on?
In this short video, Shelly explores the surprising journey of pidgin phrases across cultures. From 19th-century novels to modern-day signs in Beijing, we unpack what makes certain expressions memorable — and why some just don’t translate well.
📚 Key themes:
The history and structure of borrowed English expressions
How humor, rhythm, and cultural utility shape language
When good grammar still feels awkward — and what to do about it
💡 Watch this if you're interested in:
Cross-cultural communication
The evolution of English
Why translation is never just about words
👉 This video is part of the Word & World channel’s exploration of language, culture, and nuance in everyday life. I hope you'll enjoy it, and I'd love to see your comments here after you watch it!