From ‘JK’ To ‘Eye Gunk’: Taking U.S. Slang To China
Filed by KOSU News in World News.
November 28, 2012
One of the most well-known American women in China is someone many Americans have never heard of. Jessica Beinecke is host of Voice of America’s OMG! Meiyu, an English-language learning web show that teaches American slang expressions to Chinese students.
Beinecke’s fun, offbeat videos have racked up more than 15 million views over the last year — on Youtube and other Chinese sites.
She has become a breakout star in China and even has a fan club based in Beijing. Each week, Beinecke asks her viewers what words or expressions they would like to learn. Their responses have led to her explanations of expressions like “eye gunk,” “big mouth” and “buttering up.”
Beinecke talks with NPR’s Neal Conan about explaining American English to Chinese students. [Copyright 2012 National Public Radio]
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