A COMMON MALADY of visitors to China is "instant illiteracy."In China,familiar signs in English are rare.Even the independent spirit soon learns that without language skills one requires hile to engage in the most basic activities.The Pocket Interpreter makes it possible for the adventurous to enjoy some rewarding experiences on their own.
This handy companion begins with a brief survey of essentials to prep the new student of Chinese on forming basic sentences.Alongside the senterces are explanations about many unique aspects of China,from local snacks to Chinese Operas.Some special features are:simplified les-sons on "What You"ll Hear"and"Signs,"plus an extersive,targeted English-Chinese dictionary.
In a bright,easy format with humrous drawings for popular expressions ,The Pocket Interpreter is a quick cure for language woes in China.

Contents
Introduction
Pronunciation Guide
1: Essentials
22 Sentence Patterns / Self-introduction / Courtesies /
Key Phrases / Bridging the Gap / Emergencies
What You'll Hear / Signs
2: Travel
Asking for Information / Identification / Booking a
Ticket / Waiting to, Board / All Aboard / Baggage
Claim / Customs
What You'll Hear / Slgns
3: Local Transport
Getting Set / Taking a Taxi / Hiring a Car / Going by
Bus / Riding the Subway / Qn Foot / Renting a Bike
What You'll Hear / Signs
4: Hotel
Checking In / Checking Out / Service Inquiries /
Problems in the Room / Housekeeping / Laundry /
Making a Phone Call / The Foreign Exchange Desk /
The Post Office / Telegrams and Telexes /
The Barbershop
What You'll Hear / Signs
5: Friends
Opening Lines / Talk About the Weather / Talk About
Family / Talk About Work / Talk About Hobbies / Talk
About Politics / Saying Good-bye
What You'll Hear / Signs
6: Food
Eating on the Run / Finding a Place to Eat /.Making
Reservations / Getting a Table / Ordering / During
the Meal / Ending the Meal
WhatYou'llHear/Signs
7: Sightseeing
Planning Your Excursion / At the Sight / At the Zoo /
At the Factory / Taking a Photo
What You'll Hear / Signs
8: Shopping
Scouting the Market / Making the Find / Closing the
Deal / Art and Antiques / Books / Clothing / Film /
Returns and Repairs
WhatVou'llHear/Sians
9: Entertainment
Choosing a Show / Buying Tickets / Getting Seated /
Asking for Background / Showing Appreciation
What You'll Hear / Signs
10: Health
Getting Help / Complaints / Requcsts / Questions /
Taking Leave
What You'll Hear / Signs
English-ChineSe Dictionary
Chinese-English Supplement
Appehdlees
A: Numbers and Quantitles
Cardinal Numbers / Ordinal Numbers / Fractions /
Percentagcs
B: Measure Words
C: Expresslons of Tlme
D: Converslon Charts
Measures / Temperature
E: Money
Chinese Currency / Foreign Currencies
F: Place Names
Major Administrativc Divisions / Cities of Interest
G:Dynastiec
H: Family Relations
1: Essentials
No Verb Conjugations
Where? There!
Negatives
Questions
Measure Words
Past Tense
Zheige or Zhege?
2: Travel
International Airlines
What Kind of Plane Is This?
Good, Better, Best
The Best in Life
Good-byes
3: Local Transport
Which Way Is North?
Taxi Fares
Bus Numbers
Riding Public Buses
Bus Stops
Bike Parking
4: Hotel
Local Hostels
Chinese Horoscope
Long-distance
Communications
Post Offlce Tips
English-language
Publications
Chinese-language
Newspapers
Tea
Batteries
5: Friends
Chinese Names
(Psst...What'll 1 Call Him?)
Chinese Idioms
Seeing Off a Friend
6: Food
What's for Breakfast?
What's for Dinner?
Local Snacks
7: Sightseeing
Symbols
Flowers
Trees
Zoo Animals
8: Shopping
Cashier's Booth
Special Items
Buying Jade
How to Bargain
FEC vs. Renminbi
9: Entertainment
Musical Instruments
Chlnese Operas
10: Health
Where Does It Hurt?
Doctor, 1 Have...