Luo Shiying 罗世英 Transcript

Jump to English Transcript

原文抄录

口述人:罗世英(女,1921 年出生,云南省凤庆县白云村花木林寨子村民)

采访人:李新民(女,1988 年出生,草场地工作站驻站者)

采访时间:2011 年 3 月 2 日

采访地点:花木林寨子罗世英家中

采访时长:50 分钟 40 秒

采访原文抄录(访问人李新民简称“民”,被访人罗世英简称“罗”)

罗:晒不赢(晒得受不了),咱晒着不知,你妈那去了?

民:妈妈在啊老婶家玩啦。

罗:这回去啊到过年才回来咯哎?


民:嗯,过年。


罗:你怕钱赞的好大点咯?

民:钱用完耶,自己苦的自己用完耶,啊过狗给哦不知?

罗:你一个月一千多块尼呀?

民:嗯,嘎,嗯。

罗:你在处多远些还是小龙妹在处多远些?

民:我在处多远些呢。

罗:你在处多远些,么小龙妹得一千不到呀。

民:晓不得。

罗:一千不到说,

民:哦哦。

罗:她们在处咱叫该,贵州嘎,啊乖你一千块钱给到得?

民:不到。


罗:来嘎 ?


民:嗯,嗯 。

罗:玩起再上去。

民:我就是来和你玩起,啊老孃不回来该?

罗:不回喂,不能回来尼她,这才一个月,二十六才结婚尼,狗不有现在,啊乖推啦,使气(用力推门)。

民:啊嘛,小狗那关啦?


罗:这水不来尼哇。


民:可能是怕,它不会咬吧?


罗:咬不得。

民:咬不得嘎。


罗:咬不得嘎,它人会咬什么,那蹲啦,水嘎吃点?


民:水不想吃。


罗:那蹲下嘛?


民:嗯嗯。


罗:瓜子嗑过嘎?


民:不磕咯,舌头疼,舌头疼,起泡。


罗:啊磕我这拿?


民:不磕不磕不磕, 坐着说说话,小猫又跑了。


罗:啊啦,腰疼哇,哎呀, 你小叔叔家怕一个不在怕?


民:在了尼 。

罗:在该。


民:妈妈领着啊梅那玩着。


罗:我好好不去哇你奶不在,人家白日做生产去了。


民:那你一处不疼嘛?


罗:啊?


民:一处不疼嘛?

罗:不疼什,疼也不疼,做样不会做,煮饭是人家电饭锅煮么,我眼睛不见,那么瘪,那里煮。


民:给他们煮得些啦?

罗:嗯,是,我样不做一天天,他们说杨法那大圆子地逛跌倒说,我说这望望瞧,那个来打给针?
民:嗯嗯,小叮生给。


罗:嗯,小叮生来打给针,哎,又啊去一年去,我日你妈, 啊那结婚下,你不能回来?

民:哎 晓不得哇,还小呢。


罗:也有二十岁呀。

民:二十三啊。


罗:二十三该,是人家说发早财不如生早子说,啊乖儿女生早些么得使嘎,这像我们么找装钱,不会去使也但屁什啊要人尼哇,啊要人啊乖,那吃什么去?

民:哎,啊吃什么?


罗:酒嘎吃?


民:酒不吃。

罗:白酒厉不赢喂,刚才我吃洽点什,苦浆苦辣,是吃我这打给点?

民:不吃,不吃,啊太不吃,大白日天阿个头晕晕尼吃是。

罗:你是结婚不知啊北京去尼那好说呀(听说你要在北京结婚)?


民:哎,晓不得哇。


罗:你姐给在?

民:做客去了白云。

罗:那家不知哇?


民:额,我认不得哇。

罗:那家不知我样认不得。

民:嗯,白云就是。

罗:那个怕卖工去了咯。

民:那。

罗:她丈夫啊?


民:嗯,卖工去了。


罗:卖工去么家头都舍不得在尼,我小石头,你大哥石头又去了哇?


民:大叔叔。

罗:那个小三妹去丽江说那个去,小石头又啊去临沧考说知道人家考什么,人家说给我我又不听见,啊去考么。

民:啊去考小车驾照。

罗:那样啊?

民:嗯。

罗:样认不得么认得过什么去?

民:么我们这里是啊去到临沧考。

罗:嗯,他说,前日么昨日去不知哇,啊要好大点钱尼该他说是?

民:嗯,啊要好大点钱。

罗:他说啊要三四千块钱那好说呀!

民:我认不得哇,反正啊要好大点钱尼。

罗:是啊,四五千那样说什?

民:嗯。

罗:知道哇,我样认不得,知道人家啊考过什么,总叫我钱给点,我说你们卖工回来我不给点,我这那在一分钱,一处都不会去我,一天天这蹲到晚。

民:还和你要钱?

罗:人家这样,手比评来那比给你,“我日你妈” 我说不有哇不有,那小老五家下去又那死跟 着来,么说啊太会领去,有尼你小佬佬后头,人家给点尼,么是不会去领,人家领人家会拿个我么,一说你要拿做什么,街又不会去赶,他们几个么只管跟我要,“我日你妈”拿是人家我拿给五百块钱么,五百块钱小秀就拿去了两百块。独独在了三百块钱么,昨日么这好,前日么这好,我日你妈崽娘,我说我一文都得用不得 。

罗:他是当兵处死你小佬佬。

民:哦。


罗:当兵处死么,一年么也给,今年是领得四千八那么说嘎。

民:一年四千八。


罗:四千八今年么?


民:哦哦。

罗:么是啊去洛党拿去尼,人家拿回来说是你要拿做什么,你街又会赶,啊要什么吃,人家会拿给我该。我说我日你妈,你们几个只管跟我要我说,我这拿回来我这装着,你们几个一家拿给点嘎,去拿我又不会去拿,只管跟我要,啊要有尼。现在你大佬一说,赶街不会去,啊要什么么,这􏰀是罗,“我日你妈”拿给我五百块钱么,小秀就拿去五百块。

民:嗯。

罗:昨日小石头又拿去两百块,有什钱 ,说这个是照相机该?

民:录像机 。


罗:一样认不得哇,阿太一样认不得 。


民:小佬佬是?

罗:当兵去死了呀。

民:是和爸爸一起当兵啊个小佬佬嘎?

罗:给是不知哇,忘记是怕嘎。

民:嗯。

罗:么他么回来嘎。

民:嗯。

罗:你爹上前回来?

民:嗯,是尼是尼,小佬佬叫什么名字该?

罗:他么在上前回来。

民:嗯。


罗:他怕朝后去不知忘记哇,他是临沧死呀。

民:嗯。

罗:你爹上前回来尼,回来才他去尼,属狗尼呀是在了是,我日你妈这跳蚤在了个,咬人你啊老孃在处你过不着呀(路过没有啊)。

民:过不着。

罗:过不着哇一定。

民:啊老孃在处我不去过耶。

罗:她只在贵州那么说。

民:嗯。


罗:知道那去那认得。

民:小佬佬属狗么爸爸还不是属狗?

罗:是尼,是尼十九岁。

民:十九岁 。


罗:嗯,那个时候是抬啦尼,生生抬到来(被抬着嫁过来)啊乖,“我日你妈” 怕来了六七十年么嘎,现在有九十岁么,才只有十九岁就来呀,啊乖, 哎 啊太这过了多少日子,“我日你妈”。

民:你抬着来尼阿?


罗:啊。


民:你来时候抬着来尼?

罗:那个时候人家这么挨挨嫁,嫁到大麦场比喻只嫁到独家村这样都人家抬啦,那几年是, 做媳妇人家抬啦。人家公家治了颗红毡,么那个那铺上么,姑娘还看些么,人家一把细筛么这样挂咯,嘎 他们说是姑娘丑么一把粗筛那么说,人家有那么一个计较说嘎,我是这方这个啊奶和那方那个啊奶是亲姊妹,嘎 新村人,新村人不是,咱会来这个地方嫁。“我日你妈”。

民:你来到这里十九岁那年啊太你给记得?


罗:说,哎,啊乖,二十二个人吃饭尼啊,你们不有过着过,过到水进窝缝,难难成什么,啊个蒸子大木蒸子有这么高。“我日你妈”老苦荞打回来么,天晴么得是晒,不天晴么就 锅里炒炒整整么,我日你妈,啊乖,吃荞莎莎,洋芋说大大又不有,这大这大么,洋芋拌上那么吃,哎、这么大一个蒸子一蒸是,那个时候饿饿嘎,二十几个人是,那么一蒸洋芋,老苦荞面拌上那么的吃完,现在那狗盛给点玉米饭都不吃,嘛讲“我日你妈”。

罗:这摩托都会摔人尼,丢下去两凳地说嘛,本是落下来不是摔着嘎。

民:嗯。


罗:肋巴骨这些疼说。

民:啊太,你过那些苦日子咯记得些尼?


罗:啊?


民:你过那些苦日子咯记得些尼?

罗:说啊太是得苦不死那样,还活到这个岁数,一天天那么苦是,晚上还要去上夜班尼,你说那个时候,不去不知,饭是那大水井那窝煮咯,人家不抬给,抬给人家会抬给一盆该, 一个人一小碗你说,你们几个那一样都不有过着过,我这些我日你妈过到那四处,上药挖带来是细糠拌上那么吃,现在那哎,“我日你崽娘” 玉米饭都不吃嘛讲,上药里还拌上细糠嘎,那着饿不死那么吃,“我日你妈”当真得那么吃。啊磕瓜子我拿给过去?

民:不吃我舌头疼。那两年那种老古本讲给我听听嘛?


罗:啊。


民:我说啊,讲给我听听你那些故事那么说。


罗:是,过到那去处都不有,“我日你妈”苦是苦成什么,啊嘛现在人得闲成什么,啊几年人天 亮不亮就爬起,“我日你妈”。

民:额,啊过,吃食堂时候?

罗:啊?


民:你吃食堂时候?

罗:啊嬷、这里在着,咋记不得呢,饭是在大水井煮,我们这里大水井,白云就一起吃,要 称呢,阿乖一个人称给多大点么,有几个人,娃娃是只吃二两呀,唉呀、“我日你妈”我 说我都活不到现在,老天啊,苦是苦,你说,白日一天那样苦,晚上还去上夜班,不去, 明早上人家早饭就不抬给 不去,人家本上就记起 。

民:上夜班你去做过什么?


罗:割谷子,哪样都要去做啊。


民:晚上还割谷子啊?

罗:哇,人家集体做啊,一个大集体,我们这里白云就不是一个集体,白云这里,玉米被收着,你想烧吃一小包,管家人门锁了呀,哪给你拿烧吃。抬饭是去到大水井你说,唉呀, 阿乖,饿都饿饱完,饭一称起,又不是一家两家嘎,多少人,饭称出,肚子都饿饱了, 唉呀,“我日你妈”呀,阿太这过了多少日子,我日你妈,现在白云,人有我岁数 一个都不有哇 。

民:嗯,九十了 ?


罗:九十二了。


民:九十二啊,那年出生 ?


罗:知道哪年?


民:你属个什么 ?


罗:我属鸡的呀。


民:属鸡该 ?


罗:嗯,一个都不在,我来时,你阿奶那些一个都不生下来(没出生),你算几十八年,你阿奶说,哎,阿三婶,我怕要在你朝前死,那样说,我说“我日你妈 ”,老子家,我来这你都不生下,你说在我朝前死, 当真在我朝前死去。慢慢才讨她来呢,我来才慢慢养她。

民:那个时候你还上夜班那些,啊祖尼?

罗:是啊,上夜班,晚上大家白云一起,就是一个队嘎。


民:嗯。

罗:么饭么在大水井那白云里头那大水井说那里煮,么这里是啊去那抬吃,你说这里太阳出就去是,一个白云人饭称完是啊乖,饿都饿饱,才抬回来,抬回来长的嘛称,抬回来一 包说,那么有的吃,一个人娃娃是只给吃二两饭,有多大点嘎,二两饭怕一碗都不有嘎, 是松松装,哎,啊太那过到水僸窝缝(什么都没有),还命这么才法“我日你妈”。我记得是你啊太还在咯是 只故孙三个人吃饭呀,就是老海,他奶, 哎呀,在在么才讨小法妹,小法妹那独家村嫁咯么,老公死么,才你佬这里领带来,“我日你妈”啊乖、 不是一天两天了,有九 十二,有九十二年哇,咋个记得,“我日你妈贼娘”。

民:那个时候是不是阿祖教学嘎?

罗:是呢,在城里教着呀,去那个地方,去了几年,人家人人说是,那个时候不像现在,管你去哪。那个时候,老公如果不在,不有那个休书,不有那个字,人家谁敢要呀,世人 都不要,你说,阿太我,这苦苦,“我日你妈” 在在你阿祖。要的话不说,不要话不说, 就这样在着,在着,现在说,我要走就走,那个时候哪敢去,哪敢要、人家人哪敢要, 哎呀、啊乖 苦苦么、在在、人家说是。我老公那头、讨了一个,不要我了。人家就那 么讲,讲讲么,休的话不说,“我日你妈”就那样在在,怕二十,二十三岁,和小翠英同 岁,得了个娃娃,才在了四个月就死了。

民:你的娃娃,阿太 ?


罗:娃娃才在四个月,他们一百个说,说你阿祖在人家地方讨了, 啊呀、跳蚤都会这鞋子里进去,“我日你妈” 哪里死跳来不知哇 。

民:那啊祖讨得过该外头?

罗:不讨过,不讨过 。


民:那人家那讲的起?

罗:去那人家地方,教学怕去了八年不知才回来尼,这家人人多,哎 六个儿子尼啊,六个儿子是,样都不有你说,老苦荞是之日打带,晚上拿做晚饭你说,啊乖“我日你妈”回来 么就炒炒整整么锅啊,那个荞莎莎那么拉带来那么吃,么也当不是我家嘎,那个时候么 到处就一样噶,吃米饭得人家大地主那样,那样吃、我们这样农民那吃米饭,现在这这 么多人吃,人家还,“我日你妈”那个时候只得,城街去是样都不卖啊乖。

民:嗯,你家怕不有那么苦,么啊祖教书是?

 罗:么说一大家子人家又不分,“我日你妈”不苦,不苦那拿带来。一大家子,教学是那个时候, 一个月得六七十块钱,六七十块嘎自己吃噶,那和现在些啊嘛一两千块,􏰀处不有哇啊 乖,城街去是啊说过,你找颗粮食都找不出,那你们记不得是尼哇,你奶都我来慢慢才讨,“我日你妈”现在说老天哎,我说我这一个不有我命长,那边怕和我同年同岁人,一个不在啊说,我说“我日你妈”。啊早早就去了嘎?

民:嗯。


罗:晚上坐夜班车嘎?


民:嗯。


罗:一夜不知又去多少地方噶 啊乖,嫁人么咯合格,合格再嫁?


民:嗯。 罗:小心,又不说什么人,“我日你妈”刺毛烙鬼那么嫁着不知嘎,这个讨讨,那个嫁嫁,“我日你妈”,小侨旺怕打石头去啊咯?

民:不去尼。

罗:不去尼该?现在九十岁,过了九十多年哇嘎,“我日你妈”你这下边小叔家是独独得故孙三个人,就你佬,你啊太,啊太么放四条不知五条牛,扎老呀,我叫三大妈,你奶么大 大那个胡家倾讨带呀,胡家倾讨带么,独独就有下你佬,么又死么,又才是小法妹是也 是坝子地那方丁心人,么才又来嫁这个,咋叫辉绿史家啊哥来嫁,也是儿女不生么,在 在么死么,才来嫁你啊佬,啊祖,啊祖嘎 ?

民:嗯。

罗:啊祖咯,才来嫁啊祖么,啊祖面前来一个不有么,独独就你爹,你佬,独独那么养下过你佬边头又有六个儿子嘎,么老法,额 蛮大是你佬,你佬是叫老法呀,小安 而外那个咋叫过该,小菊老公咋叫过该?

民:小赖狗。

罗:小赖狗嘎 ,小锁柱。

民:啊太你生的几个?

罗:啊?

民:你生的几个娃娃?

罗:那?

民:你啊?

罗:七个,七个么,儿子三个,姑娘三个,蛮大那个和小翠英同岁尼呀,七个现在独独落得你大佬一小点,“我日你妈”么那当兵去那个是和老法同岁尼呀、属狗。

民:当兵咋会死不知?

罗:知道哇当兵打死又不是说,知道人家打死知道咋嘎,就不化化整整骨灰抬回给小点,骨灰也拿回给尼,包包那么装咯么,这小长抖得个箱箱么,箱箱里装着。

民:他们那样不说给你该?

罗:啊?

民:他们不说给你该?

罗:么人家那里,现在么打电话嘎,阿几年么电话不有,么人家,那死是回来尼,么人家抬回给么,就不骨灰,一小个箱箱抬回给,花圈那些扎带来尼,么现在那小安家房上头那堂茶地埋咯呀,只小你大佬,你大佬申猴、友鸡、虚狗、那个属狗尼。那啊你独去啊?

民:嗯。

罗:坐车嘎,啊早早去么,车票给好啊 ?

民:􏰀好啊。

罗:􏰀好该,啊坐多少钱啊乖,光光去啊?

民:我从这点坐么,􏰀到昆明尼是两百块 。

 罗:那啊这城坐起嘛?

民:嗯、么啊太你生七个么?

罗:啊?

民:我说你生七个么就得死一个小佬佬?

罗:嗯,现在就不是独独大佬独自、么当兵去那个是属狗尼说给你说和老法同岁尼是,哎,当兵去认得那死么,人家化化整整么,小箱箱装起抬回来给,啊太是得过不死那浩,过

不死那浩,“我日你妈”。 大水井那家做客不知哇?

民:晓不得。

罗:那家不知说做客去那么说,嫁姑娘说不知?

民:么就得死个小佬佬,另外那些尼 ?

罗:啊?


民:么就得死个小佬佬,另外那些尼 。

罗:当兵去处就死咯。

民:嗯,得一个嘛 ?


罗:只一个,么大佬媳妇都不有尼。


民:嗯 。

罗:么你大佬这个大尼,那个才属狗是,这个是属猴,大咯两岁。哎,啊乖,那个时候那教

学怕一个月六七十块钱,现在那米钱都不够么嘛讲嘎,“我日你妈”现在人家那一两千块,

“我日你妈”吃什么去?


民:哎、啊吃过什么 。


罗:咋,声气听见哇 ?


民:那边 。

罗:杨法是那坐摩托,大圆子飞丢下去说,那个来打给针不知。

民:啊祖又大尼几岁?

罗:我大他尼,我属鸡,他属狗。

民:哦。

罗:扎,友鸡、虚狗、友鸡么、申猴嘎、么虚狗、我大他两岁、他属狗。

民:啊祖几岁不在?

罗:啊?

民:啊祖几岁不在?

罗:几岁该,怕死十年都多么,一一在城教学着啦,那个时候教学怕一个月得六七十块钱。

民:啊祖生病该,给是?

罗:啊?

民:啊祖病该他?

罗:那个他们说是,肚子收缩啊,人家饭是一点都吃不下去,只小娃喂面糊勺子一小勺子,一会那个肚子收缩完么,肚子不有说就死啊,样得不吃,样都不吃去,么肚子不有装处不有,不会咽下去,怕三个月,光光怕城在两个月,又给拿回来,拿回来么,一天天就这样蹲着,水就是小勺子一勺子,饭么回咽下去么吃嘴,不会咽么就那样在咯,他们说肚子,什么病说尼,是肚子一起收缩,渐渐收缩完么死也死了,光光城医了两三个月, 哎,现在么,“我日你妈”现在么这家儿子多,你们家那家儿子多嘎 ?

民:嗯。

罗:你们家怕四五个尼,现在还在咯,只你佬嘎,只你爹走么,小赖狗、小锁柱、小侨旺、小赖狗家那个儿子在还在去了不知?

民:去了。

罗:去了该,姑娘不回来呀?


民:姑娘不回来。


罗:啊乖、你去帮人家做什么,卖东西那样,么是做什么?


民:我啊,嗯,我样样都做。


罗:样样都做该,你啊老孃在处得一天去不到那样说嘛(我孙女嫁人的地方,听说坐车一天到不了)?


民:晓不得哇。

罗:贵州是晓得在那,我这认得什么,城街不有上去过,我圆柱街下去不有下去过,一个月一千块么,你一年么一万几么。大集体时候人家困难成什么,“我日你妈”我们家是啊说过栽那些茶吃得不知,“我日你妈”说说老苦荞饭、洋芋蒸上,老苦荞饭蒸上,哎过到那水僸窝缝我日你妈,那样一二十个人吃饭是,那个木蒸子有这么高,有什么、有什么木桶、有什么体桶,现在一百样铝锅,那个时候大木蒸子,大木桶,“我日你妈”那个蒸子上是啊上气么,饭盛些才抬得赢,不上气咋抬(煮饭的锅太大,米不熟,要拿出来一些,米蒸熟了才能抬起来),一个人咋抬出来大锅,么铝锅这样又不有嘎,煮菜就大锅煮么煮饭就大锅煮,一把青菜就大锅煮吃,那么样都不有,啊说过煮饭吃处那样,就是得一张大铁锅么,煮菜就大锅煮饭就大锅 。

民:那个时候你家几个人吃饭?

罗:二十二个、一大家子,哎呀,现在你们么得也得穿点,啊几年是有钱得不出呀,去那穿嘎,“我日你妈”补了又补了,补了又补了,“我日你妈”啊说过烂了一点布那舍得丢这里么那里补你说,裤裤胫都补完,“我日你妈”。哎呀,现在当真形式好哇啊银,形式好,啊几年过了日子么“我日你妈”。布票发给,一个人发给一尺布票,一尺布么去那来穿嘎“我日你妈”。不有布票不着,现在那衣裳裤子一卷卷那抬丢,那时那舍得丢。

民:有布票,那么咯有饭票?

罗:饭票有尼嘛,一个人发给,城去怕一个人怕得一斤哇一天,忘记哇现在么“我日你妈”去不去么,肚子饿那想去噶,去又不得吃,不得,样都不有呀城是去也是,只是山药挖带来么,细糠揉上么,那么卖粑粑处的吃点,别这样米粑粑,这样米饭那拿去,玉米粑粑都不有人卖,你想哎,啊太这过了多少日子“我日你妈”么你有钱,有钱啊那吃去,到城都不有啊那里有嘎,现在这啊吃什么都有他们说。

民:那个时候你家给有饿死那样给有?


罗:啊?


民:人给有饿死过那样 ?

罗:么也饿饿死么,山麻野菜不有人拉那样嘎(野菜没有人拿回家吃),不会去那样,么说说香菜都干净拉完了(香菜人们拿回来吃),那沟有点香菜,拿回来么,卤卤整整么,饭里拌上那么吃呀,说说现在喂狗都狗不吃。哎“我日你妈”么当不是一家嘎,么到不出处都不有嘎,说说城去都粮食不出,现在些那人家会得得“我日你妈”(不是只有一家没有吃的,每个地方都一样,城里也没有粮食卖)。

民:你家给有饿死过人 ?

罗:我家不有饿死过,么山里管你烂拉吃啊乖,香菜咯、蕨菜咯、 蕨菜拿回来是说给你说卤卤整整么,面里揉上,么就不是老苦荞面,它不是说有玉米面,有米饭现在和我这样人不有说,当真是不有罗哇苦急了。


民:啊太那你老实饿那么咯做过你(特别饿的时候怎么办) ?

罗:不有做过咋说给你说“我日你妈”一大家子人,抢都抢不来说给你说,哎呀“我日你妈” 那个蒸子说给你说老苦荞面、侨莎莎那样拌上,洋芋这小大这小大,苦荞面拌上,那么都多不有得吃碗你想“我日你妈”么拿处不有。不有过拿处不有叫那去噶,一处不,到处人不是那么困难(想多吃都没有,没有地方拿,每个地方都很困难),说说城去的粮食一颗找不得么,我们卖个青骡子(马)是,这小大些你大佬,小五家啊爹这小大抬给小把豌豆,豌豆么,大磨拉带来,搅豌豆面糊吃,菜煮上怕拉,一家吃一碗两碗“我日你妈”。那个娃你妈领了该?

民:嗯。

罗:会坐咯,你姐招的那个得规矩呢,也找的钱(你姐夫会挣钱),不是人家想在在,不想在人家走就走(村里人和外地人结婚,结婚后离开)。

民:啊太,你现在怕有养老费么?


罗:啊?


民:我说你现在怕有养老么?


罗:咋该?


民:说你怕有养老费呢?


罗:嗯。


民:给有?


罗:钱啊?


民:嗯。


罗:知道,我一分不拿给,他们说低保钱有尼该?


民:应该有尼怕?

罗:知道给有 ?


民:不拿给你该?

罗:不拿给,说说你小佬佬后头,那有得人家,说说这回今年拿给五百块钱么,小秀就拿去两百块,这前日小石头啊去那临沧考说,考过什么不知,我样认不得哇,硬是就拿去两那个杨法姑娘不在喂,那去不知(杨法生病了,他女儿不在家,没人照顾)?

民:嗯。

罗:放牛去那么说,哎,明年去,明日去啊到上冬才回来。不知又有人家不回来不知,你啊老孃些,“我日你妈”你啊老孃本来就扎西软,她小小时候是,话都不会说呀,那么着那种痒毡疯你想,话都不会说。那她佬有钱,光光城就医,医医又拿回来这医,又那处说有个老师找来医,哎,生生她啊佬那样医好,不是那么,脚都撤了现在得撤了,她老公公才和你大佬同岁尼说 。

民:哦。


罗:也是教学说。


民:大佬几岁我认不得耶?


罗:啊?


民:大佬几岁我认不得耶?


罗:说你那个认不得?


民:大佬佬几岁我认不得?


罗:你大佬现在五十二十尼么,你爹碑打了给是?


民:打了,嗯。

罗:哎呀,“我日你妈”是在了不知,我家么那大门一进来啊三奶说就叫带来,“我日你妈”生生那么车上就逛死去,他那高头埋去尼啊?

民:嗯,小石佛。

罗:小石佛嘎?

民:嗯。

罗:房子楼子一起他盖下尼嘎?

民:嗯。

罗:咋那门响?


民:风吹。

罗:啊么今日太阳怪晒呢,风不吹喂今日,这多少现在什么鞋子都有?

民:啊太你学名咋叫过 ?


罗:罗世英就不,我名字又不有该过。

民:嗯,你会写尼嘛,你名字?


罗:啊?


民:你会写尼嘛?

罗:念书去人家交给,就那样叫什。


民:现在给会写?

罗:不会写,那还小么,我这里都不来尼,就叫给过罗世英么就那样叫了什。

民:哦 。


罗:你学名咋叫?


民:我学名叫李新民。


罗:李新民?


民:嗯,现在我们花木林么岁数最大就你噶 ?

罗:白云是,他们说一个白云岁数有我岁数不有,只是李绍宗是还小我说嘎。

民:嗯。

罗:那大地(地名)在了那个李绍宗,么啊乖九十二岁哇,我们花木林么蛮大就我嘛现在,除了么这两,辉从香怕才七十岁怕?

民:七十七。

罗:啊?


民:七十七。


罗:李浩都怕有八十岁啊?


民:嗯。


罗:八十一不知怕,哎,也是儿子又小,媳妇又一个不有,那现在小喜四十八九嘎,哎,啊太饭不煮吃,人家咋煮吃咋吃,眼睛望不见,手都会抖尼哇在了在了抖起,本是“我日你妈”光光我们这里是你佬家你奶家两,大哥小宝家两个,多少哇我旁边死了“我日你妈”那外头你啊祖你啊奶一起我来才死尼,小富生家啊爹啊妈“我日你妈”死了多多带少人,李贵家啊爹啊妈,李贵家啊佬啊奶,啊佬啊奶我来都慢慢才死。

民:啊太你家是在磨刀石嘎?


罗:不是,坝子地。


民:坝子地尼该?


罗:嗯,这边我奶和那边我奶亲姐妹给认得啊,新村人。


民:哦。

罗:新村人么,那边我啊太是,人家地方么,人家地方,地方尼人嘎,背了个娃娃(从别的地方捡了一个孩子回家),娃娃嘎那脚上立起,人家嘎那路上边坎子头帅丢下说,地方人家领带来走是走走是走走是走说么(孩子长大后让这个孩子离开了),那么来说哇,我啊太人家地方那么来,这回么来么来嫁新村人,新村人讨带有三个姑娘(新村的三个姑娘嫁了过来),有三个姑娘么,这边我啊奶,那边我啊奶,这你认得不得烤猫家我啊奶(嫁给老猫的姑娘), 么那样嫁来,不是么他们去那认得(这些事情别人都不知道),跳蚤是跳蚤多(家里跳蚤好多)。你那个老舅妈给回去下下不知嘎(你舅妈有没有回家看你外婆)?

民:回去尼。

罗:回去尼该?


民:嗯。


罗:也是娃娃不养哇该,来了五六年么,做样不做说嘛(也不生孩子,嫁来五六年了,也不干活)。


民:嗯。

罗:就那样做了啊,你啊婆家,我们这个小三妹得说嘛去了,这茶也采采“我日你妈”这吃惯嘴,跑惯腿(我的孙媳妇小三妹也是往外边跑习惯了,也不在家采茶,整体往外跑)。


English Transcript

Interviewee: Luo Shiying, female, born in 1921, Huamulin, Baiyun Village, Fengqing county, Yunnan Province

Interviewer: Li Xinmin, female, born in 1988, Caochangdi

Time: March 2, 2011

Location: Luo Shiying’s home

Transcript:

Luo:  It’s too hot. Can’t take it. Where is your mother?

Min: She’s at Old Aunt’s place.

Luo: You will only be back for New Year after this visit?

Min: I will be back for New Year.

Luo: Have you earned a lot of money?

Min: I spent it all the money I earned with hard work. Is your dog fierce?

Luo: Your salary is over 1000 yuan per month?

Min: Yes.

Luo: Which one of you works further from here, you or Little Long?

Min: I’m further away.

Luo: You are further away but she can’t make 1000 yuan a month.

Min: I don’t know.

Luo: Less than 1000 yuan.

Min: Okay.

Luo: Her place is called Guizhou, right? Can 1000 yuan get you there?

Min: No.

Luo: Are you coming?

Min: Yes.

Luo: Let’s chat a little bit before going.

Min: Yeah, that’s what I am here for. Little Aunt isn’t home?

Luo: No. She can’t come back yet. It’s only been a month. She wasn’t married till she was 26. The dog is not here. Sweetie, push the door and come in side.

Min: Is the dog locked up?

Luo: The water doesn’t come out. Is the tube broken?

Min: Maybe. It doesn’t bite people right?

Luo: No.

Min: No biting.

Luo: It doesn’t bite people. Squat down and have some water.

Min: I don’t want water.

Luo: Wanna squat down?

Min: Okay.

Luo: Want some melon seeds?

Min: No. It makes my tongue hurt and blistered.

Luo: Let me get you some?

Min: No, no. Let’s sit down and chat. The kitty is running away.

Luo: My back hurts. Is your Little Uncle at home?

Min: He is.

Luo: Okay.

Min: He’s with my mother visiting Mei.

Luo: My health is good. Your grandmother was younger than me and she’s already passed away. They were working during the day.

Min: You don’t have any pains anywhere?

Luo: What?

Min: No pains anywhere?

Luo: It doesn’t hurt that much. I can’t work anymore. I eat rice from rice cookers. My eyes can’t see. The rice cooker is over there.

Min: Cook for them?

Luo: Yes. I don’t work every day. They say Yang Fa’s fell over. Who’s to make an injection?

Min: Yeah. Little Dingsheng.

Luo: Oh, Little Dingsheng. Another fucking year has passed. Are you getting married outside the village? Are you not coming back?

Min: I’m not sure yet. Still young.

Luo: You are as old as 20 now.

Min: 23.

Luo: 23 years old. People say that an early fortune is not as good as an early son. It’s good to have kids early, sweetie. In my case, I have money but nobody to spend it. We need people to spend the money. Are you eating something?

Min: What to eat?

Luo: Do you drink wine?

Min: No.

Luo: White wine is really strong. I had some just now. Bitter and spicy. You want some?

Min: No. I don’t drink often. It makes me dizzy in the daytime.

Luo: I heard that you were going to get married in Beijing

Min: I don’t know.

Luo: Is your sister here?

Min: She’s married at Baiyun.

Luo: To which family?

Min: I don’t know the family.

Luo: Then I don’t know.

Min: Yeah, some family in Baiyun.

Luo: She’s working in other places too?

Min: Yes.

Luo: How about her husband?

Min: Also working out there.

Luo: No one is at home anymore. Is your big brother Shi away?

Min: He’s my big uncle.

Luo: Little Three went to Lijiang. Shi went to Lincang to take some test. I didn’t hear him.

Min: He’s taking a driving test.

Luo: Oh?

Min: Yes.

Luo: I don’t know anything about it?

Min: People here usually go to Lincang for the test.

Luo: He said it cost a lot of money?

Min: Yes. It’s expensive.

Luo: He said it cost 3000 to 4000 yuan!

Min: I don’t know exactly. A lot of money.

Luo: Or 4000, 5000?

Min: Yes.

Luo: I didn’t know that. He asked me for money. They don’t give me money from their work. I’m only staying here, not spending anything.

Min: They asked money from you?

Luo: Yeah, they would make a gesture indicating a number. “Fuck your mother.” I said that I didn’t have any. I went to my neighbor’s place and he followed me there. I can’t go to the city to take my money—after my little son died, they give me money. I don’t go to the city for money and they will take my money without giving me anything. They think I don’t shop anyway. They only asked money from me. Fuck them. I should have 500 yuan and Xiu took 200 away. Only 300 left and he took the rest away. Fuck. I can’t spend any.

Luo: Your little son was executed as a soldier?

Min: Yes.

Luo: That’s why they give me 4800 yuan per year.

Min: 4800 per year.

Luo: This year.

Min: I see.

Luo: They go to Luodang to take my money. They say that they will buy me food. I said, “Fuck, you should give me the money and take a little away.” They only ask me for money, even when I don’t have any. My older son doesn’t think I need anything. Fucking Xiu took all my 500.

Min: Yes.

Luo: Yesterday Shi took 200 too. No money. Is this a camera?

Min: It’s a video tape recorder.

Luo: I don’t know anything now.

Min: What happened to your little son、

Luo: He joined the army and died.

Min: Is he the one who went with my father?

Luo: I don’t know. I don’t remember.

Min: Ok.

Luo: He never came back.

Min: I see.

Luo: Your father went too?

Min: Yes. What is the name of your little son?

Luo: He didn’t come back.

Min: Yes.

Luo: He died in Lincang.

Min: Oh.

Luo: He went after your father was back. He was born in the year of dog. This fucking flea is biting me everywhere. Did you pass by my granddaughter’s place when you were out of the village?

Min: No.

Luo: For sure.

Min: I have never been there.

Luo: She’s in Guizhou.

Min: Yes.

Luo: I don’t know where she is there.

Min: My father was born in the year of dog too.

Luo: My son was 19 years old.

Min: 19.

Luo: Yes. They brought his body to me. Fuck. It has been more than 60 or 70 years. He would have been in his 90s if he didn’t die at the age of 19. Ah, so much time has passed. Fuck.

Min: Were you carried here by a sedan chair?

Luo: Yes.

Min: When was that?

Luo: In those times, people who were married to close places were all carried by sedan chairs. Like being married at Damaichang and Dujia Village. They put a red carpet on the ground. They had sieves hung at the doors—pretty women’s sieves had small meshes and ugly women had big meshes. My grandmother and a grandmother here were sisters. If I weren’t from Xincun, why would I come here. Fuck.

Min: You were 19 when you got here? Do you remember anything?

Luo: We had 22 people to feed. You’ve never lived like that. We were so poor that we had nothing. The wooden steamer was this tall. Fuck. We picked up bitter wheats back and put them in the sun if it was sunny. If not, we just cook them a little bit. Fuck. We didn’t have large potatoes, only small ones. We were hungry. Over 20 people shared the potatoes and bitter wheats. Now dogs don’t even want corn rice. Fuck.

Luo: People riding motorcycles would fall down, rolled twice and hit the ground.

Min: Oh.

Luo: Hurt on the ribs.

Min: How much do you remember of those hard days?

Luo: What?

Min: Do you remember those hard days?

Luo: It was so hard but I have lived to this old age. Every day was hard. We had night shifts that we had to go. Rice was cooked together at Dashuijing. They didn’t give us food or only gave us a little bit. Everyone got a little bowl. You guys haven’t gone through that. It was fucking like this everywhere. We mixed bran with Shangyao. Fuck. We don’t even care about corn rice now. We only ate bran mixed with Shangyao to survive. We fucking ate like that. Do you want me to get some melon seeds?

Min: No, my tongue hurts. Can you tell me about the things happened when you were young?

Luo: What?

Min: I asked you if you could tell me your stories.

Luo: Yes. We had nowhere to go. Life was fucking hard. People today have so much free time. We had to get up before sunrise. Fuck.

Min: Oh. When you ate at the canteens?

Luo: Ah?

Min: When you ate at the canteens?

Luo: Yes, here. Meals were cooked at Dashuijing and people from Baiyun all ate here. Everyone only got a little bit by measurement. Children only had 2 liang. Fuck. I didn’t think I would survive. Heavens. Hard life. We worked hard during the day and still had to do the night shifts. If we didn’t work at night, we wouldn’t get breakfast. Our absences would also be written down in a notebook.

Min: What did you do for night shifts?

Luo: Harvesting crops and a lot of other things.

Min: You did harvesting at night?

Luo: Yes. People in Baiyun were considered as a group and it was group work. After the harvest of corns, if you wanted some to eat, you couldn’t—the crops were locked up. We went to Dashuijin waited for out portions. Lots of people were there. We were so hungry that we didn’t feel it anymore. Fuck. So many days has passed since then. I’m the only one alive at this age in Baiyun.

Min: Oh, are you 90?

Luo: 92.

Min: 92. When were you born?

Luo: Which year?

Min: What’s your zodiac animal?

Luo: Rooster.

Min: Rooster.

Luo: Yes. All the others are dead. When I came here to get married, your grandmother wasn’t born yet. So many years has passed. Your grandmother once said to me: “I will probably die before you do.” “Fuck,” I said, “You weren’t even born when I got here.” She did die first. I watched her be born and growing up.

Min: When you went to night shifts, how about great grandfather?

Luo: We were together in the same team.

Min: Oh.

Luo: We had to go to Dashuijing to get our food. We set out at sunrise and couldn’t be back with food till much later. The food we brought back was very little. Children only got 2 liang of food, which couldn’t fill a small bowl up even when put loosely. We were so poor that we had nothing, and I lived. Fuck. When your grandmother was still here, three people ate in their family. Then Fa was brought here by your father after her husband died. Fuck. It’s not been one day or two. It has been 92 years! Fuck!

Min: Did great grandmother teach back then?

Luo: Yes. He was a teacher in the city. He stayed there for a few years. People talked about it much. Nowadays, who cares where you go. At that time, my husband was away but we weren’t divorced. No one wanted me and I suffered alone. Fuck him. I just stayed where I was, not daring to leave. Then my husband had a new wife and abandoned me. There were lots of gossip about me. He fucking didn’t divorce me. I was like in my 20s or 30s, as old as Little Cuiying. I had a child but it died after 4 months.

Min: Your child?

Luo: My child was only 4 months old. Many people told me that my husband had a new woman somewhere else. Those fleas went into my shoes. Where are they fucking from?

Min: So great grandfather had a new woman?

Luo: No.

Min: Why did people say so then?

Luo: He was away for almost 8 years. His family had lots of people—6 sons including my husband. 6 sons with nothing to feed them. We cooked bitter wheat for dinner. Fuck. People were all doing the same. You needed to be landlords to have rice. Where could we have rice? Fuck. Nothing was sold in the street.

Min: So your family wasn’t doing that bad since great grandfather was teaching?

Luo: We were a large family that lived together and it was fucking hard. Teaching salary was 60 or 70 yuan per month. It is like 1000 or 2000 yuan today. But we had nowhere to buy food. No food in the street. You don’t know those times, since your grandma grew up after I came here. Fuck. Heavens! I have such a long life. No one alive is as old las me. Fuck. Are you leaving early?

Min: Yes.

Luo: Are you taking a night bus?

Min: Yes.

Luo: Who knows how many places the bus goes at night. Sweetie, when you get married, you should choose your groom carefully.

Min: Yes.

Luo: Be careful. There are many fucking ruffians who get married over and over again. Fuck. Did Little Qiaowang went battering rocks?

Min: No.

Luo: No? I’m in my 90s now. Over 90 years have passed! Your little uncle only had three people at home including your grandfather and grandmother. Your grandmother had several cows. Your grandmother was got by Hu Jiaqing. Your grandfather died. Little Fa married here too. She was married to someone and didn’t have kids. Then she married your grandfather.

Min: Mhm.

Luo: Before that your grandfather only had your father. Then they had six sons. Old Fa. Little An. What is Little Ju’s husband called?

Min: Little Laigou.

Luo: Little Laigou and Little Suozhu

Min: How many children did you have?

Luo: What?

Min: How many children did you have?

Luo: Who?

Min: You?

Luo: 7. 3 sons and 3 daughters. The oldest one is the same age as Little Cuiying. Now only your big grandfather is still young. Fuck. The one who went to the army was born in the same year as Little Fa. They were born in the year of dog.

Min: Do you know how he died as a soldier?

Luo: I know they beat him up. Then he was burnt into ashes. His ashes were brought back in a little box.

Min: Didn’t they tell you?

Luo: What?

Min: Didn’t they tell you?

Luo: They were there and we didn’t have telephones like now. He died and his ashes were brought here in a box. They sent some wreaths. The box was buried in near Little An’s home. The only young one is your big grandfather. Monkey, rooster, dog. He was born in the year of dog. So you are going alone?

Min: Yes.

Luo: Go early to catch the bus. Have you bought the ticket?

Min: Yes.

Luo: Okay. How much is the ride?

Min: From here to Kunming costs 200 yuan.

Luo: Oh, from here.

Min: So you had 7 children?

Luo: What?

Min: I asked if only 1 of your 7 children died?

Luo: Yes. Your big grandfather is still single. The one born in the same year as Old Fa died as a soldier and was sent back as a box of ashes. I just can’t die. Fuck. Who’s having a wedding banquet at Dashuijin?

Min: I have no idea.

Luo: I heard about a wedding? Who’s marrying their girl?

Min: One of your children died. How about the others?

Luo: He died there as a soldier.

Min: Only one died?

Luo: Only one. My older son doesn’t even have a wife.

Min: Oh.

Luo: Your other big grandfather was born in the year of monkey, 2 years older than the one born in the year of dog. Sweetie, they made 60 to 70 yuan a month teaching. Nowadays, that’s not even enough to buy rice. They fucking earn one thousand or two now. What the fuck could we eat?

Min: What did you eat?

Luo: Did you hear that?

Min: There.

Luo: Yang Fa fell from his motorbike. Don’t know who’s treating him.

Min: How many years is great grandfather older than you?

Luo: I am older than him. I’m a rooster and he’s a dog.

Min: Oh.

Luo: Rooster, dog. Monkey, dog. I am two years older. He was born in the year of dog.

Min: How old was great grandfather when he died?

Luo: How old…he has been dead for over 10 years. Yiyi is teaching in the city now. They made 60 to 70 yuan a month teaching in the past.

Min: Did great grandfather get sick?

Luo: What?

Min: Did great grandfather get sick?

Luo: They said that his stomach shrank. He couldn’t eat anything. He could only eat spoons of food offered by kids. When his stomach was totally shrunk, he died. He couldn’t eat anything and he didn’t have room for food. He couldn’t swallow things. After about 3 months—he spent 2 months in the city and was brought back—he could only lay down and have some water. They said that there was something wrong with his stomach. When his stomach diminished, he died. He received treatment in the city for several months. Ah, now, fuck. His parents had many sons. Did your father’s family have many sons?

Min: Yes.

Luo: They had 4 or 5 sons. The only one that has passed away is your father. Little Laigou, Little Suozhu, Little Qiaowang. Is little Laigou’s son still here?

Min: He went away. The daughter’s not coming back?

Min: No.

Luo: Sweetie, what do you work? Do you sell things?

Min: Well I do all kinds of things.

Luo: All kinds of things. I heard that it takes more than a day to get to my granddaughter’s place?

Min: I don’t know.

Luo:  I know Guizhou. I don’t know many things and haven’t been to cities. I haven’t gone to Yuanzhu Street. You earn one thousand yuan a month. That’s more than ten thousand yuan every year. During the collectivization, life was so fucking hard. We planted some tea trees. We had the fucking bitter wheat rice and steamed yams. I had fucking nothing. Ten to twenty people ate together from a big wooden bucket. Now we have aluminum pots. The bucket was so big that the food couldn’t be fully cooked. We had to get some out to fully cook the food. How could we take the food when it was not cooked? Vegetables were cooked in a big pot. Rice was cooked in a big pot too. We didn’t have many things. The cooking place only had that big iron pot. Vegetables and rice were all cooked in a big pot.

Min: How many people were eating in your family?

Luo: Twenty-two people. A big family. Ah. Nowadays you all have clothes to wear. In the past, even if you had money, where could you find clothes? Fuck. We couldn’t afford to throw away old cloths. We sewed patches everywhere, even at the crotch of pants. Fuck. Ahh, things are good now. Those fucking years! Everyone could get one cloth coupon of for one chi of cloth. How could we have clothes out of one chi of cloth? Fuck. Now there aren’t cloth coupons anymore. Pants that are too long are cut and the extra cloths are thrown away. How could we throw away anything back then?

Min: You had cloth coupons. How about food coupons?

Luo: We had that too. We could use coupons for food in the city. One person got one jin of food. I don’t remember that much now. But we fucking didn’t want to go with our empty stomachs. Even if we went there, there was nothing to eat. They only had some yam, bran. At some places, they had buns, but not corn buns. Think about it. What a life I had! Even if you had fucking money, you couldn’t find many things in the city. They say that you can find everything there now.

Min: Did anyone in your family die of hunger at that time?

Luo: Ahh?

Min: Did anyone die of hunger?

Luo: Some people died of hunger. People didn’t bring wild vegetables home. They brought Xiangcai home. They mixed Xiangcai into rice. Dogs won’t even eat that. Fuck. It was not that only one or two places didn’t have food. It was the same everywhere. They didn’t sell food in the city. Fuck.

Min: Did anyone in your family died of hunger?

Luo: No. We found food in the mountains. Xiangcai or juecai. We mixed them with flour. Or we had bitter wheat or corn flour. We don’t have rice like today. We were really dying for food.

Min: What did you do when you got really hungry?

Luo: How can I tell you if I didn’t do it? The whole fucking family was competing for food. We ate bitter wheat mixed with yams. We wanted to eat more but we couldn’t find food anywhere. Food was scarce everywhere. We couldn’t find a single grain in the city. We sold a horse. Your father and Little Wu’s father gave out some peas. We grinded them and mixed them into the flour. One family could get a bowl or two. Fuck. Is your mother taking care of your sister’s child?

Min: Yes.

Luo: Is the child old enough to sit on a chair? Your sister’s married well. The one your sister is married to can make money. They can leave the village when they want.

Min: Great grandmother, do you receive pensions now?

Luo: Ahh?

Min: I said “do you receive pensions now”?

Luo: What?

Min: Do you have pensions?

Luo: Ohh.

Min: You do?

Luo: Money?

Min: Yes.

Luo: I know. I don’t have any. They say that we should have low-insurance money?

Min: Maybe?

Luo: I know that we have that?

Min: You don’t get anything?

Luo: No. Like the money after your younger grandfather died. I got 500 yuan back and Little Xiu got 200 away. Little Shitou wanted to have some exam in Lincang—I don’t know anything about it—and he got some away. Yang fa is sick and his daughter is away. Who’s going to take care of him?

Min: Yes.

Luo: I heard she’s grazing cattle away from here. She won’t be back till next winter. 。。。She was vulnerable. When she was a kid, she couldn’t even talk. Her grandfather was rich and brought her to the city for doctor. Then he brought her back for treatment. He also found some other doctor. She was cured later or she wouldn’t be able to stand. Her great grandpa is as old as your grandfather.

Min: Oh.

Luo: He was a teacher too.

Min: How old is grandfather?

Luo: Ahh?

Min: How old is grandfather?

Luo: What don’t you know?

Min: I don’t know how old grandfather is.

Luo: He is 52 now. Has your father’s gravestone been built?

Min: Yes.

Luo: Ah, fuck. I was coming home and I heard Third Grandma. He was just fucking run over by the car. Is he buried in Gaotou?

Min: Yes. Xiaoshifo.

Luo: Xiaoshifo?

Min: Yes.

Luo: A house has also been built there?

Min: Yes.

Luo: Why is there noise from the door.

Min: It’s the wind.

Luo: It’s so sunny today. Even no wind. There are so many kinds of shoes today!

Min: Great grandma, what’s your official name?

Luo: Luo Shiying. I haven’t changed my name.

Min: Do you know how to write your name?

Luo: Ah?

Min: Do you know how to write it?

Luo: I was taught some in school.

Min: Do you know how to write now?

Luo: No. I was little and I hadn’t even come here. They have always called me Luo Shiying.

Min: Oh.

Luo: What is your official name?

Min: My official name is Li Xinmin.

Luo: Li Xinmin?

Min: Yes. Are you the oldest person at Huamulin?

Luo: At Baiyun, yes. They say that no one at Baiyun is older than me. Even Li Shaozong is younger than me.

Min: Oh.

Luo: The Li Shaozong from Dadi is 92 years old now. In our big Huamulin, I am the oldest one alive. Apart from us, Hui Congxiang is only 70 years old, right?

Min: 77.

Luo: Ah?

Min: 77.

Luo: Li Hao is probably as old as 80 years old now?

Min: Yes.

Luo: Or 81 years old. His sons are still young and not married. Now Little Xi is 48 or 49 years old. I don’t cook for myself. I eat whatever others cook. I can’t see and my hands are often shaking. Fuck. There used to be your grandfather and grandmother and some others living here. Many died. Fuck. Over there your great grandfather and grandmother died after I came here.  Little Fusheng’s parents. So many people fucking died. Li Gui’s parents and grandparents also died after I was here.

Min: Great grandmother, do you come from Modaoshi?

Luo: No, Bazidi.

Min: Bazidi?

Luo: Yes. My grandmother there and grandmother here are sisters. They were from Xincun.

Min: Oh.

Luo: My great grandmother was from Xincun. My family adopted a child and raised him. He left when he was old enough. Three girls were married from Xincun here. My grandma and a woman who got married with Old Mao. Many people don’t know these things. There are so many fleas here. Has your aunt gone home and visited your grandmother?

Min: Yes.

Luo: She did?

Min: Yes.

Luo: She has been married here for 5 or 6 years. She hasn’t had a child yet and she doesn’t do any work.

Min: Yes.

Luo: Your grandmother is just living like this. My granddaughter Little San is like this too. She’s working away from home a lot and doesn’t pick tea leaves. Fuck. She’s going out every day.