[Notes:<\/strong> Tap\/click on a P\u012bny\u012bn<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t(P\u012bn\u00b7y\u012bn\n\t\t\t{Piecing Together of} \u00b7 Sounds \u2192<\/span> [Pinyin]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u62fc\u97f3)<\/span> expression to reveal its <\/span>\u201cflashcard\u201d<\/span>; tap\/click on a <\/span>\u201cflashcard\u201d<\/span> or its P\u012bny\u012bn<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t(P\u012bn\u00b7y\u012bn\n\t\t\t{Piecing Together of} \u00b7 Sounds \u2192<\/span> [Pinyin]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u62fc\u97f3)<\/span> expression to hide the<\/span> \u201cflashcard\u201d<\/span>. \ud83d\udcd6<\/span> \ud83d\udcc4<\/span> \u2795 icons mean \ud83d\udcd6<\/span> Reveal All<\/strong>, \ud83d\udcc4<\/span> Reveal Advanced<\/strong>, and \u2795 Reveal + Symbols<\/strong> re all the \u201cflashcards\u201d<\/span> in the heading, paragraph, etc. that they are placed at the beginning of.]<\/p>\n Rather than dismissively thinking to ourselves that the songs produced by the organization are \u201cjust songs\u201d, we should remember that the slave class takes seriously its responsibility to provide spiritual food to God\u2019s people, and so it is going to make sure that the lyrics in its songs are spiritually correct, while also being emotionally moving.\u2014Ezekiel 33:32<\/a>; Matthew 24:45<\/a>.<\/p>\n This week\u2019s MEotW in the unofficial P\u012bny\u012bn<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t(P\u012bn\u00b7y\u012bn\n\t\t\t{Piecing Together of} \u00b7 Sounds \u2192<\/span> [Pinyin]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u62fc\u97f3)<\/span> Plus resource \u201cSing Out Joyfully\u201d<\/i> Bk. (P\u012bny\u012bn<\/i>+Music, P\u012bny\u012bn<\/i> Plus, Web)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n This week\u2019s MEotW, \u201cji\u0101ng\u2010x\u012bn\u2010b\u01d0\u2010x\u012bn<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t((ji\u0101ng\n\t\t\ttake<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u5c06\n\t\t\t\u5c07<\/span>)\u2010(x\u012bn\n\t\t\theart<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u5fc3)\u2010(b\u01d0\n\t\t\t{to compare}<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u6bd4)\u2010(x\u012bn\n\t\t\theart[s]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u5fc3)\n\t\t\t\u2192<\/span> [be empathetic; put oneself in sb. else\u2019s shoes; feel for another\/others]<\/span>)<\/span>\u201d,<\/i> comes from the first verse of song 163, this year\u2019s convention song, which is entitled \u201cHappy Are These Eyes\u201d in English and \u201cW\u01d2 de<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t((W\u01d2\n\t\t\tMe<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u6211)\n\t\t\t(de\n\t\t\t\u2019s<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u7684)\n\t\t\t\u2192<\/span> [My]<\/span>)<\/span>\n\n\t\t\tY\u01cenjing<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t(Y\u01cen\u00b7jing\n\t\t\tEyes\u2019 \u00b7 Eyeballs \u2192<\/span> [Eyes]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u773c\u775b)<\/span>\n\n\t\t\tDu\u014dme<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t(Du\u014d\u00b7me\n\t\t\t{(How) Much} \u00b7 [suf]<\/i> \u2192<\/span> [How]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u591a\u4e48\n\t\t\t\u591a\u9ebc<\/span>)<\/span>\n\n\t\t\tY\u01d2uf\u00fa<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t(Y\u01d2u\u00b7f\u00fa\n\t\t\tHave \u00b7 Blessings \u2192<\/span> [Are Happy]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u6709\u798f)<\/span>\u201d<\/i> in Mandarin:<\/p>\n English<\/a>:<\/p>\n \nWith a humble heart, he would pray. Mandarin (WOL<\/a>, P\u012bny\u012bn<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t(P\u012bn\u00b7y\u012bn\n\t\t\t{Piecing Together of} \u00b7 Sounds \u2192<\/span> [Pinyin]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u62fc\u97f3)<\/span> Plus<\/a>):<\/p>\n \n\n\t\t\t\ud83d\udcd6<\/span> \ud83d\udcc4<\/span> \u2795<\/span>\n\n\t\t\tD\u01ceog\u00e0o<\/span>\n\t\t\t(D\u01ceo\u00b7g\u00e0o\n\t\t\t(when) praying \u00b7 {requesting | telling} \u2192<\/span> [(when) praying]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u7977\u544a\n\t\t\t\u79b1\u544a<\/span>)<\/span>\n\n\t\t\ty\u00e0o<\/span>\n\t\t\t((we) must<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u8981)<\/span>\n\n\t\t\tqi\u0101nb\u0113i<\/span>\n\t\t\t(qi\u0101n\u00b7b\u0113i\n\t\t\t{be modest} \u00b7 {be low} \u2192<\/span> [be humble]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u8c26\u5351\n\t\t\t\u8b19\u5351<\/span>)<\/span>\n\n\t\t\ty\u00e0o<\/span>\n\t\t\t((we) must<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u8981)<\/span>\n\n\t\t\tzh\u0113nx\u012bn<\/span>\n\t\t\t(zh\u0113n\u00b7x\u012bn\n\t\t\t{be (of) true} \u00b7 hearts \u2192<\/span> [be sincere]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u771f\u5fc3)<\/span>;\n\n\t\t\t While not being a direct translation, \u201cji\u0101ng\u2010x\u012bn\u2010b\u01d0\u2010x\u012bn<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t((ji\u0101ng\n\t\t\t{to take}<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u5c06\n\t\t\t\u5c07<\/span>)\u2010(x\u012bn\n\t\t\theart<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u5fc3)\u2010(b\u01d0\n\t\t\t{to compare}<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u6bd4)\u2010(x\u012bn\n\t\t\thearts<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u5fc3)\n\t\t\t\u2192<\/span> [to be empathetic]<\/span>)<\/span>\u201d<\/i> seems to correspond with \u201cwas kind to all\u201d in the above example. A more literal translation of \u201cji\u0101ng\u2010x\u012bn\u2010b\u01d0\u2010x\u012bn<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t((ji\u0101ng\n\t\t\t{to take}<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u5c06\n\t\t\t\u5c07<\/span>)\u2010(x\u012bn\n\t\t\theart<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u5fc3)\u2010(b\u01d0\n\t\t\t{to compare}<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u6bd4)\u2010(x\u012bn\n\t\t\thearts<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u5fc3)\n\t\t\t\u2192<\/span> [to be empathetic]<\/span>)<\/span>\u201d<\/i> as used above would be \u201cto take heart to compare hearts\u201d. Effectively, this is a rather poetic way to say \u201cto be empathetic\u201d.<\/p>\n Other Mandarin expressions related to empathy include:<\/p>\n The importance of empathy with regard to Mandarin field language learning is emphasized in the below excerpt from the article \u201cP\u012bny\u012bn<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t(P\u012bn\u00b7y\u012bn\n\t\t\t{Piecing Together of} \u00b7 Sounds \u2192<\/span> [Pinyin]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u62fc\u97f3)<\/span> Was Plan A<\/a>\u201d:<\/p>\n Yes, P\u012bny\u012bn<\/i> was Plan A, but China unfortunately let the proud, self-serving B players have their way.<\/p>\n Is that the way we as Jehovah’s people should be? Shouldn’t godly, self-sacrificing love move us to do what’s best for others rather than fulfilling the imperfect human instinct for being self-glorifying, self-justifying, and self-serving? Are we showing pride in the name of love?<\/em><\/p>\n In this, I agree with Zh\u014du \u0112nlái<\/i> (\u5468\u6069\u6765\/\u5468\u6069\u4f86, Zhou Enlai), the first Premier of the People\u2019s Republic of China, who agreed with L\u01d0 Zhúchén<\/i> (\u674e\u70db\u5c18\/\u674e\u71ed\u5875, Li Zhuchen), who said<\/a>,<\/p>\n Every time the question of the reform of Chinese characters is brought up, somebody raises an objection, or even stubbornly opposes it for this or that reason. Some say that the characters are not difficult. I will say that such a person is like one who, as soon as his wounds are healed, forgets the pain he suffered. …If he will but recall his bitter experience in learning characters, and consider the interests of the children and the illiterates by placing himself in their place, he will not dissent or object so strongly. [This was actually said regarding opposition to the simplification of the characters, but the principle applies to opposition to P\u012bny\u012bn<\/i> as well.—W. W.<\/i>]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n More recently, one commenter<\/a> pointed out:<\/p>\n It takes a very grown-up person to say \u201cI did this the hard way, but child, I want you to do it the easy way, for the greater good.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Also, during the 2014 Stanford Commencement address<\/a>, Bill Gates said:<\/p>\n If we have optimism, but we don\u2019t have empathy, then it doesn\u2019t matter how much we master the secrets of science, we\u2019re not really solving problems\u2014we\u2019re just working on puzzles.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Mr. Gates\u2019 above observation applies to the subject at hand in that while many enjoy trying to solve the puzzles presented by Chinese characters, and while many also enjoy being known for being good at solving these puzzles, empathy should move us to recognize that there are much bigger issues involved than just our personal enjoyment or glorification.<\/p>\n Yes, when even some worldly people can recognize the above points, we Christians should recognize even more the need to show love<\/em> and empathy<\/em> rather than being proud, self-glorifying, self-justifying, and self-serving. Also, we should be actively and determinedly following the course of true Christian love and empathy rather than just going along with<\/a> others who are proud, self-glorifying, self-justifying, and self-serving. We should especially do so when we have scriptures such as this to guide us:<\/p>\n Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.—1 Corinthians 8:1<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n In this post about a Mandarin expression found in our songbook, another subject that I want to touch on is: Is musical notation \ud83c\udfbc too hard to be worth the trouble of producing it and using it? Are fewer and fewer people able to read it? I was fortunate enough to have been taught how to read musical notation in school. I have never thought of musical notation as being particularly difficult to use (it\u2019s much easier to learn than characters, which many unquestioningly try to learn), and I find that it helps me to sing Kingdom songs more correctly (according to the intended melody, message, etc.) and more confidently more of the time. However, I am aware that not everyone in the Mandarin field has the same experience with musical notation. For example, a while ago, an older brother told me that he didn\u2019t know how to read musical notation. Also, some people in the Mandarin field may have been affected by how education systems in this old world have been facing significant<\/a> challenges<\/a> relating to providing music education for younger ones.<\/p>\n Regardless of how the world may be failing in many cases to equitably provide good music education, Jehovah\u2019s organization has pointed out that music is important in Jehovah\u2019s worship. For example, not long ago, a Meeting Workbook<\/a> said:<\/p>\n \nMusic can have a powerful influence on the mind and body. Singing is an important part of our worship of Jehovah.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n In accordance with the importance of music in Jehovah\u2019s worship, Mandarin field language learners used to have available to them official material from the organization containing musical notation with P\u012bny\u012bn<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t(P\u012bn\u00b7y\u012bn\n\t\t\t{Piecing Together of} \u00b7 Sounds \u2192<\/span> [Pinyin]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u62fc\u97f3)<\/span> in the lyrics. However, perhaps at least partially because of the technical difficulty and costliness of producing material with musical notation and both Chinese characters and P\u012bny\u012bn<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t(P\u012bn\u00b7y\u012bn\n\t\t\t{Piecing Together of} \u00b7 Sounds \u2192<\/span> Comparing Hearts<\/h4>\n
![\"\u201cji\u0101ng\u2010x\u012bn\u2010b\u01d0\u2010x\u01d0n\u201d](\"https:\/\/troubadourworks.com\/tiandi\/meotw\/img\/2026\/screenshots\/iPhone_13_mini-Song_163-Music-jiang-xin-bi-xin-1200.png\")
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\nHe was kind to all<\/strong> and ready to forgive.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n\n\t\t\tL\u00e8y\u00ec<\/span>\n\t\t\t(L\u00e8\u00b7y\u00ec\n\t\t\t{be (of) happy} \u00b7 {meaning \u2192 [intention]} \u2192<\/span> [be willing]<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u4e50\u610f\n\t\t\t\u6a02\u610f<\/span>)<\/span>\n\n\t\t\tyu\u00e1nli\u00e0ng<\/span>\n\t\t\t(yu\u00e1n\u00b7li\u00e0ng\n\t\t\t{to pardon} \u00b7 {to forgive}<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u539f\u8c05\n\t\t\t\u539f\u8ad2<\/span>)<\/span>\n\n\t\t\tr\u00e9n<\/span>\n\t\t\t(people<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u4eba)<\/span>,\n\n\t\t\tn\u01d4l\u00ec<\/span>\n\t\t\t(n\u01d4\u00b7l\u00ec\n\t\t\texert \u00b7 strength<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u52aa\u529b)<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tji\u0101ng\u2010x\u012bn\u2010b\u01d0\u2010x\u012bn<\/span>\n\t\t\t((ji\u0101ng\n\t\t\t{to take}<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u5c06\n\t\t\t\u5c07<\/span>)\u2010(x\u012bn\n\t\t\theart<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u5fc3)\u2010(b\u01d0\n\t\t\t{to compare}<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u6bd4)\u2010(x\u012bn\n\t\t\thearts<\/span>\n\t\t\t\u5fc3)\n\t\t\t\u2192<\/span> [to be empathetic]<\/span>)<\/span>.\n\t\t\t<\/strong>\n\n\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
Empathy and Mandarin Field Language Learning<\/h4>\n
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Musical Notation \ud83c\udfbc and the Mandarin Field<\/h4>\n