Mel Blanc, long-time Wuxi Expat and English Teacher as well as a voice-over artiste, hates the sound of Wuxi local dialect. Says Blanc: "It sounds like caterwallling and screeching mixed with the sounds of your stomach during a bout of indigestion. I can see why the locals say "swearing in Suzhou Dialect sounds more sweet than love lyrics in Wuxi Dialect."
Blanc has made it his mission in life to make the Wuxi local dialect sound better. He first wants to get the locals to say "mmm boy oy oy oy!" instead of "anuff!" Said Blanc: "nothing is more off-putting than teasing the locals and they respond with "anuff!" -- it makes even the most lovely girl seem brutish. "anuff" is how the locals exclaim in surprise."
Asked how his mission was proceeding, Blanc said "You can't change China over night. You have to change it one person at a time."
Blanc then performed a role play with his protege Liu. Blanc said in Chinese to Liu "Have you eaten your clothes?" Liu responded "mmm boy oy oy oy! I don't eat clothes."
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