Speaking Chinese like a Gangster.docVIP

Speaking Chinese like a Gangster Never been shot at， stabbed， or arrested by the fuzz？ Well， then you can forget about the rousing， adrenaline-infused life of a gangster； you are free to get on with your dull， tedious daily life， knowing you’re not mobster material. But remember， real gangsters rule by intimidation. So， here is a little guide to get you started on the path to your very own protection racket， using Chinese gangster talk （黑话， h8ihu3， black talk） or 江湖隐语 （ji`ngh% y@ny^， underworld cant） in Chinese. Chinese gangsters don’t exactly look like OGs. In fact， some of the earliest gangsters preferred ordinary apparel， so as to blend in with the crowd， and， as such， their language would often sound cryptic to outside ears， a mix of half muttered codes and secrets. The traditional concept of 帮会（b`nghu#， underground organizations or secret societies） covers a wide range of different gangs. Some were just powerful tradesmen， such as the infl uential “Canal Trade Gang” （漕帮 C1ob`ng） founded in the early 18th century， which was in charge of all the trade on the Grand Canal from Beijing to Hangzhou for more than 150 years. Gang members had to follow certain rules， including a loyalty oath that included， among other things， the prohibition of adultery and a ban on bullying the weak. Other gangs even enjoyed an honorable reputation， such as the legendary “Beggars’ Gang” （丐帮G3ib`ng）. Although made famous in various novels and depicted as a school of martial arts， you probably wouldn’t have wanted to join as it required a ragged appearance and an ascetic lifestyle. Historians believe gangs existed in certain periods， albeit with fewer heroic deeds and more organized cadres. Some even consider the outlaws of the marsh a gang. And， of course， there are plenty of your standard gangsters， mobsters and ne’er do wells knocking about the streets of China today. CRIMINAL CODEX Gangs are more than just about running weapons and vice； The Heaven and Earth Society （天地会， Ti`nd#hu#）