Learn Chinese culture through Chinese papercuttings art (4): papercuts and papercutting, which one is correct?

U: by the way….is the correct way to “papercuts”
U: in english it actually mean getting a small but painful cut on your hand or finger from the edge of a sheet of paper
M: oh, but on ebay, if you search “papercuts”, you get those paper art works.
U: i think maybe before you list these in eBay…maybe find another term for these fine works of art
U: really?
M: yeah
M: absolutely
U: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papercut
U: maybe you look at this
U: maybe you should consider using the term…Chinese papercutting
U: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papercutting
M: http://shop.ebay.ca/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=papercuts&_sacat=See-All-Categories
M: http://shop.ebay.ca/i.html?_nkw=papercutting&_sacat=0&_odkw=papercuts&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
M: papercutting also works
U: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Suicidegirls-1-Papercuts-03-2007-Courtney-Riot-Acce-/220744963014?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item33656cd3c6
U: this was in the search
M: it’s terrible.
M: it seems that papercutting is better
M: tks
U: Most of the people with access to paper for an entertainment cause such as art were usually nobles in royal palaces[1]. The Song Dynasty scholar Chou Mi mentioned several paper cutters who cut paper with scissors into a great variety of designs and characters in different styles, and a young man who could even cut characters and flowers inside his sleeve[2]. The oldest surviving paper cut out is a symmetrical circle from the 6th century found in Xinjiang, China[2].
From the 7th to 13th century, paper cutting became popular especially during Chinese holiday festivals. The art spread to the rest of the world in the 14th century.Throughout the Qing Dynasty many papercutting skills were developed including drafting and the use of smoked papers. By the end of the Qing ruling however, new art forms were being introduced. The Republic of China later tried to revive the art in the 1980s[1].
In the rural countryside in mainland China, papercutting is a traditionally female activity. In the past, every girl was expected to master it and brides were often judged by their skill. Professional papercutting artists are, on the other hand, usually male and have guaranteed incomes and work together in workshops.
M: oh,
M: a lot of people have made mistakes on eBay.
U: just trying to help
U: perhaps it increase viewers to your listings
M: but so many people have made mistakes, so that that word becomes sort of popular
M: 😛
M: tks a lot
U: but the american meaning of papercut…is the cut on the finger
M: oh, i c.
U: people will not normally type an the word papercut to find and art form
M: 😛
U: hope you understand this
M: I need to change “papercuts” to “papercuttings”
M: I see.
U: mention Chinese art
U: or chinese art form
U: chinese papercutting art
U: you should include chinese or art
U: or both
M: and handmade
U: it will show up better and more in search engines
U: exactly
U: you get it
M: 😛
M: great idea
U: its like everytime i see you mention papercuts…i automatically think of a painful “papercut” i get from time to time
M: 😛
U: so try those suggestions and see if traffic increases
M: but three Americans had competed to bid on a set of “painful papercuts”
U: yeah…but maybe 13 or more would have IF….you know
M: sure
U: i think these papercuts are really beautiful and i’m very interested in maybe learning how to do it
U: i know its not easy
M: if you search “papercuts”, there are more listings show up than search “papercutting”
U: really
U: make your best judgement
M: is the word “papercutting” accountable or unaccountable?
M: countable
M: uncountable
U: i’m only using the sources i linked you to
M: oh, you only use “papercutting”
U: i’m not sure what you mean?
M: if there are two, should I say “two papercuttings”?
U: i suppose
M: oh, I can’t find it on that dictionary. no papercutting, no papercuts.
U:  Window Flower…is a good term to use
M: oh
U: i explained what americans think a papercut is
U: maybe papercuts is better
U: try a few different terms and see what gets the most attention
M: great 😛

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