Learning Chinese?

[Beavs]

I'm debating taking a course in beginning Chinese (mandarin) because I always need to be leaning something, I am a geek, and I have become very interested in China over the past year. I used to be proficient in German and tried Russian once (an abysmal failure for everyone when the incompetent instructor tried to teach us the first year in the first two weeks!) so I have experience learning other languages but Chinese...is it possible??? Am I crazy? It looks very, very daunting. Has anyone in Catheland taken on learning Chinese as a second language? Any advice? (other than "take a spanish class instead!")

 

[dlavie]

You aren't crazy. I have wondered why more people don't learn Chinese. Over 1 billion people speak that language. If I were entering the business world today that would be my choice of languages.

I know a few cuss words but that it.

 

[materialsgirl]

>You aren't crazy. I have wondered why more people don't
>learn Chinese. Over 1 billion people speak that language. If
>I were entering the business world today that would be my
>choice of languages.

He's absolutely right. My company does so much business with China - we have suppliers, customers and dealers there. But the language barrier is a huge obstacle. It can be very difficult to tell suppliers what is expected of them in terms of quality and delivery... and that's why we have battled quality problems from Chinese suppliers.

Learning Chinese sounds very daunting to me - it seems exceedingly complex. But at the same time, I think it would be incredibly fascinating and challenging (in a good way). If you have the time and the desire, I say GO FOR IT!

 

[hiitdogs]

No Beavs, you are not crazy, well, maybe a little }( Just know what you are getting yourself into, Chinese is one of the most difficult languages to learn.

I took a beginners Chinese class many years ago, whereas I pick up on other languages very quickly, I was struggling with this one. It is completely different. It all depends on the tone you say it in, I distinctly remember in class we were taught how to say "How are you", a guy tried it, sounded right to me, however, the Chinese teacher started laughing out loud and told him, he had just asked him "are you a horse".

Quite interesting. The teacher also said whereas Mandarin is the most common, there are hundreds of dialects. Anyway, I quit when I moved to the US and never took it up again.

But if you start, I'll join you

 

[ElaineP]

Our High school now teaches Chinese. There reasoning was that when the kids get out in the real buisness world they will probably need it to succeed.

 

[lederr]

no, beavs, you're not crazy. i am learning korean and it certainly is daunting but i am determined!!! i say go for it!!!

 

[Jennifit]

I bow to you, Beavs! That is the language to learn...but, the writing is like artwork to me. I do not think I could handle it!! LOL

Good luck if you do it! You can teach us a few choice words!!

 

[EVCT]

I certainly say "Go For it" It is almost the opposite of our language, but knowing that I definitely would try it. I have wanted to learn Italian for so long. I've tried several courses, but now I just wanted to live there and learn it that way!
Ellen

 

[edie]

I think you're great!

The only Chinese I know I learned in acupuncture school and it's all medical Chinese and herbal formulas! But I must say their language has depth - meaning they were always contemplating the meaning of life and spirituality and it is reflected in their verbal and written language. Edie

 

[Beavs]

I appreciate all the comments, particularly "I think you're great!" ;-)
So Carola.....if I do register for the spring semester you are in trouble }( }(