English is the most widely used language in the history of our planet. One in every seven human beings can speak it. More than half of the world’s books and three quarters of international mail are in English. Of all languages, English has the largest vocabulary — perhaps as many as two million words.

We take English for granted. But when we explore its paradoxes (探讨它的矛盾), we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square,  public bathrooms have no baths in them.

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? How can overlook and oversee be opposites, while quite a lot and quite a few are alike? How can the weather be hot as hell one day and cold as hell the next?

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects (反映) the creativity of human beings. That’s why, when stars are out, they are visible (能看见的); but when the lights are out, they are invisible. And why, when I wind up my watch, I start it; but when I wind up this essay, I end it.

The first Chinese Culture Talk about Chinese drama, titled as "Play Is As Life", was held in Cannada at University of Toronto on November 4, 2016.

Performing artist Pu Cunxin and actors from Beijing People's Art Theater, were on a tour of the drama “Teahouse” in the city. They shared their understandings of traditional Chinese drama and life in ancient China. Xu Wei, deputy-counselor (副总领事)of the Consulate General of China in Toronto, Han Ning, cultural consul of the Consulate, Antje Budde, professor from the Center of Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies of University of Toronto, Meng Yue, professor from the Department of East Asian Studies of the university and about a hundred students and local scholars were present.

Meng Yue introduced the famous Chinese writer, Lao She, author of the play “Teahouse”. Pu Cunxin recalled how the theatre staged the play that has been performed more than 670 times at home and abroad."The play was finished by Lao She 10 years earlier than his death in 1966. Half a century had passed before we came to perform it in Canada," said Pu Cunxin.2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the writer's death. Pu Conxin told audiences about Lao She's relationship with the theatre, also answering questions about drama writing and performing.

Chinese Cultural Talk aims to introduce Chinese drama classics at a group of Canadian universities during the tour. Launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Culture, the Chinese Culture Talk is a series of high-level cultural and academic lectures. More than 40 lectures have been held in the US, France, Italy, Cambodia and Indonesia. The themes vary from philosophy, religion, culture, literature and art, costume to cooking and Chinese medicine.

Have you ever considered all the English expressions that include words about clothes? Let’s have a look.

People wear pants to cover the lower part of their bodies. We sometimes say that people who are nervous have ants in their pants. Sometimes, people may get caught with their pants down. They are found doing something they should not be doing. And, in every family, one person takes control. Sometimes a wife tells her husband what to do. Then we say she wears the pants in the family.

Pants usually have pockets to hold things. Money that is likely to be spent quickly can burn a hole in your pocket. Sometimes you need a belt to hold up your pants. If you have less money than usual, you may have to tighten your belt.

I always praise people who can save their money and not spend too much. I really take my hat off to them. Yet, when it comes to my own money, I spend it at the drop of a hat, which means I instantly spend it.

Boots are a heavy or strong kind of shoes. People who are too big for their boots think they are more important than they really are. I dislike such people.

My father is an important person. He runs a big company. He wears a suit and tie, and a shirt with sleeves (袖子) that cover his arms. Some people who do not know him well think he is too serious and never shows his feelings openly. But I know that my father wears his heart on his sleeve.