Des Bishop picks up another language and wows audiences in Mandarin Chinese

Remember when Des Bishop went to the Gaeltacht to immerse himself in a new language? Well, he’s done it again.

The Irish-American comedian learned Mandarin Chinese and has been performing stand-up shows primarily in the language.

Bishop moved to China last year to learn the language, an ambition of his thanks to "a childhood obsession with kung fu movies".

His success at learning Mandarin has led to the formation of his new show "Made in China", which he is currently performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.

中国人在爱丁堡！我的脱口秀演出 #madeinchina 在爱丁堡喜剧节#edfringe ! 这个星期3，4，5试演的表演很便宜。段子都是关于我的一年在中国。我很想中国人来看。#毕瀚生 pic.twitter.com/2wcr01usaE

— Des Bishop 毕瀚生 (@Desbishop) July 28, 2014

The comedian says the main problem he encountered was the tonal pronunciation of Mandarin, especially when he began performing in the language.

"In conversation you can repeat yourself, but onstage you have one chance and then the joke is gone."

It took almost 9 months to learn enough for his first gig, but since then he has performed extensively in Mandarin.

Doing a Chinese language gig in Taiwan tonight. No censor! F*** yeah!

— Des Bishop 毕瀚生 (@Desbishop) July 2, 2014

Bishop moved to Ireland from New York as a teenager. In 2007, he learned the Irish language and documented the experience in a six-part series for RTE, "In the Name of the Fada".

Bishop says the stand-up scene is thriving in China, despite the bureaucratic hurdles.

"To do an official live performance in China you have to apply to the censor and submit the material beforehand, so you're basically told what you can and can't say.

"But all performers do under-the-radar gigs, small places, small crowds, and everyone turns a blind eye."

Bishop's new show shares his experiences in China with Western as well as Chinese audiences, who have been extremely helpful towards the talented linguist.

"They are more open," Bishop says. "When I'm in a jam for a word, I can use the English word. They understand that, and I can almost achieve the rhythm that I have when I speak English.

"The stuff in English about China has also been a great success. I've been really overwhelmed by how interested people are in seeing a different take on China."