User Comments - mikeinewshot

Posted on: Podcast Language 2

Pinkjeans

Well thanks!  As for French, I have a long history - apart from School French, I worked in Luxembourg for a year, lived for 15 years with a French Lady, worked for a couple of periods in France - the last one was 10 years ago though.  I once was 'fluent', but not perfect!  My French still suffices but of course degrades.  I went to France for a week recently and found I could still rattle away without too much effort for everyday situations.

Russian is a different matter as it is 30 years since I spent 15 months working there.  I found that for some time after I could still handle a converstation, but now when I hear Russian, I get this wierd problem that I know that I used to be able to understand ...  For me it is a pity that the opportunities are not there to keep it going.

I am reminded of a funny situation many years ago when I was back in Russia for a holiday.  I saw some English having a problem with a Russian waiter, so I thought I would help out.  But when I opened my mouth to speak Russian, gibberish came out - very embarrassing at the time.  I had expected (以为) just to be able to turn on the Russian!

As for Chinese, this is my current hobby, and I try to treat it now as a hobby to enjoy.  This means that I have been 'lazy' recently, and feel that I should once again put in the effort that I mentioned above to break through the next barrier.

I do know some Chinese people and sometimes have mixed English /Chinese conversations.  I tried to find classes near me but there are none suitable/available.  I also tried to find a good teacher but found only completely untrained Chinese ladies who are in England trying to teach poor unsuspecting English people....

I believe that the variety of input is important to reinforce.  For example, hearing a word on Chinese radio that popped up in a Chinesepod lesson gives some chance of it sticking - at least for a while.

Posted on: Podcast Language 2

Bob

What I am about to write may appear patronising, but here goes.

First, my credentials - I was trained as a scientist and mathematician, and I do not pick up languages easily, however over my (sadly considerable time) I have now learned French, Russian and am now attempting Chinese.

My experience is that I have to "spend an inordinate amount of time" - otherwise I don't get anywhere. In order to pick up the vocabulary I must have spent about 2-3 hours a day for 6 months listening and rewinding and looking up words.  I would get up at 6am spend a couple of hours before work and then in the evening go back - every day.  So I don't have 'an inordinate amount of time' - I made the time.

My point is that in order to learn a language, that is the amount of time I (maybe you) need.  Especially for something as alien as Chinese.  So being fed things on a plate in the long run may not be the way. 

However, some of the suggestions you make may be worthwhile!

Posted on: Why are You Studying Chinese?

I started because of an interest in languages and a desire to give myself a challenge.

Then I became fancinated by the language, met some Chinese people and visited China.

So one thing led to another ... So now a mixture of hot Chinese females, fancinating country, language and growing importance in the world - I may never break free.

However, I appear to be the only person disappointed by the food that I found in China.  Sad as I love French food, Thai, Indian, some Spanish, Greek ...

Posted on: Saying Good-bye at a Tavern in Nanjing -- 金陵酒肆留别

Pete

Thank you so much.  It is a shock to hear that Poems with Pete is finished.  But then some good things come in small doses and are more precious for that.

Not only have you demystified Chinese poetry, you have brought a tear to my eye.  What a beautiful rendition of The Parting Glass too.

I wonder whether I will catch you on the flip side.

Posted on: Podcast Language 2

Well as an analytical learner who has been here for a long time, I feel that I would like to express my opinion on some of the things.

I completely agree with Sebire, that the dialogues (at intermediate and above) are (now) much harder than the banter.  The reason is that the basic banter vocabulary is common across all the podcasts, whereas the dialogue vocabulary is (by definition) different every time – The whole idea is to present new vocabulary and context. 

I also like to understand every word.  However I should add that when I started trying to understand the banter, I found it difficult.  Like Raygo, I painstakingly looked up words I heard in the banter for months until they stuck.  I think I disagree with Bob in that it did me a lot of good doing this hard work and working it out myself rather than being presented with the words used.

Posted on: Buying a House

Can a 外国人 buy property in China?

Posted on: Podcast Language 2

All Jenny's little secrets, that I struggled hard for months to decifer, are being revealed :-)

It almost feels like revealing the secrets of magic tricks.  Or maybe I am almost jealous that now everyone will hear what I hear.  (Just in case it is not obvious, I jest)

Posted on: Lao Wang's Office 11: Wang in the Doghouse

Posted on: Lao Wang's Office 11: Wang in the Doghouse

There is a terrible translation in the PDF for 家里快没钱了 which is "Your family needs money for everything" instead of "We are nearly out of money".

The pinyin for 没一次有结果 misses out 次.

Surely 你有那个本事? should be 哪 not 那。

Also I think that 嫁给 meaning to marry should be in the vocab list ....

Posted on: 了 (le): Something's About to Happen

This is quite an appropriate lesson title for discussing Qingwen PDFs.  A evern more appropriate title would be Waiting for Godot