I noticed there is no general thread for Mandarin Chinese apart from some threads that never hit more than 5 posts and which weren't worth bumping at all, since they don't contain any discussion on Chinese.
I'm going to start studying Mandarin next year, I'd like to start preparing during summer break so I'll have it easier during the academic year - what should I do, and can you recommend me beginner material for native English/Dutch speakers?
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Anonymous2010-05-22 18:04
你好
I know little Chinese, but you can download Michel Thomas Chinese, I've used him for spanish and it works good.
>>1
i picked up mandarin relatively fast, so this is what i consider to be the most efficient way to learn it:
1. learn how to use the notation of pinyin (the phonetic translation of syllables using roman alphabet and tone markings) before even attempting to learn the language itself. if you get a reader or textbook, it will most likely supplement the characters with pinyin, and your pronunciation and understanding of word components will be better throughout your learning experience if you have a strong basis in pinyin and tone usage first. (i can't overstress the importance of learning how to use tones well. it will be the difference between sounding fluent and sounding like a foreigner once you've studied the language itself for a while)
2. before tackling characters, learn the various character components. the meaning and pronunciation of a character is dependent on the components of the written character, and you will be able to write and speak characters much easier if you know the components well. characters seem like simply a lot of memorization if you approach it without first learning all of the character components (there actually aren't that many, it's a lot like learning the alphabet.)
so to summarize, learn pinyin, learn tones, and learn character components before trying to learn any actual words. this is the most systematic way to approach mandarin by far. you can e-mail me (linked on name field) if you have any other questions to a fluent speaker, or if you want textbook suggestions.
Also, please don't bother him, that wouldn't be very kind.
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Boe2010-06-03 3:10
>>6
hey thank you good sir, i have currently picked up a reader and workbook and also a dictionary. and i will look into learning pinyin, and update on this thread
>>17
Niet echt, nee. Ik doe een HBO-opleiding en had Mandarijn als keuzevak genomen (ik volg normaal een technische opleiding), maar het niveau lag redelijk laag. Hanzi hoefden we niet te leren en de zinnetjes waren behoorlijk simpel. Toevallig heb ik aanstaande woensdag een toets. Multiple choice. Volgens mij hoef niemand in jaren een onvoldoende gehaald.
Maar ik dwaal af. Met mijn (gebrekkige) ervaring, lijkt wat >>6 je aanraadt inderdaad het beste. Veel succes ermee.
I'm from /sp/. I've been to /int/ and /jp/ and they told me to try here!
Well, thanks in advance, guys.
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Anonymous2010-07-08 14:39
>>17
Welke universiteit en waarom heb je voor deze studie gekozen als ik vragen mag?
(我会说一点中文)
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Anonymous2010-07-18 1:40
fuck you chinapig
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Anonymous2010-07-20 13:30
Anyone have a good translation for «Function over Form» and/or «What does it do, how well does it do it»?
I'd prefer Classical Chinese version, 4- or 8-char slogans.
Thx.
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Anonymous2010-07-22 15:42
Hey, I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me what these 2 (I think) Chinese characters are, and show me them in their reply so I can copy and paste them.