Navigating (導(dǎo)航) in China is easy and convenient — if you can read Chinese.Baidu and Alibaba offer fully featured map apps with detailed information,but foreigners have little access (通道;機(jī)會(huì)) to it.
"As a foreigner who can't read Chinese characters,I noticed there was
this hole," said Jason Stine,a software engineer from the US,in an interview with the Charming China podcast.To fill that hole,he created his own app,called Lost Laowai.
Stine,31,has lived in cities around China for seven years.He says people who can't read Chinese are "a drop in the bucket (滄海一粟)" for companies like Tencent and Alibaba.There aren't enough of these people for English versions of their apps to make economic sense.So Stine made one himself. "It's essentially a translation of Alibaba Maps," he said.
"The idea was to put everything into three forms.Chinese characters,pinyin...and then the English translation." Also useful,it gives directions for city buses,one of the most difficult things for foreigners in China.
Although the app is useful,Stine says that it looks a bit "amateur (業(yè)余的)". "I don't have an app development background," he adds, "I am self-taught."
Stine has a full-time job with a Hong Kong company,so Lost Laowai is a weekend project.He depends on his user community,a WeChat group where users can report bugs and request features.
These lost laowais may be there to report bugs,but they are enthusiastic users of the app. "As someone actively trying to learn Mandarin,I...like the way the address is showed:Chinese characters,Pinyin,and English," said Kevin Mulligan,a South African living in Shenzhen.
Lisa Schooling,from the US,has used the app in Suzhou and says it gives her a sense of safety. "I just like the feel that no matter where I am,I can check the app and gain a sense of direction," said Schooling.
(1)What does the underlined phrase "this hole" in paragraph 2 refer to?
C
C
A.Foreigners find it difficult to learn Chinese.
B.Chinese road conditions need to be improved.
C.Foreigners can't understand Chinese navigating apps.
D.Chinese navigating apps are too expensive for foreigners.
(2)Which of the following best describes Jason Stine?
D
D
A.Talented but selfish.
B.Humorous but careless.
C.Outgoing and brave.
D.Creative and hard-working.
(3)What do we know about the app Lost Laowai?
D
D
A.It only has English translation form.
B.It was created by Baidu and Alibaba.
C.Its users have nowhere to report bugs.
D.It can also direct foreigners to city buses.
(4)Which can be the best title for the text?
A
A
A.Helping Lost Laowai.
B.How to Form a Sense of Direction.
C.A US Engineer's Life in China.
D.Foreigners:A Drop in the Bucket.