Mandarin Class Question

[Guest guest]

Hi group!

 

With all the discussion of Chinese Language learning... I decided to enroll

in a junior college Chinese Mandarin Language class. I realize I will not

get to much Medical stuff, however should get exposure to the tones and

other language symantics. So my question is to the experienced chinese

speakers, is the Mandarin dialect one that will be helpful in studying the

classics? I remember when I was in China there were many dialects.

 

Thanks for any help... the class does not begin till January 22, so plenty

time to cancel, if need be. For me, Iwould prefer to take at a public

school... much more economical, for a new practioneer!!! Also, while

getting the Doctorate in ... is appealing on many levels, it

will probably be at least 5 years before I would apply!

 

Thanks and Happy Holidays to all!

 

Teresa

[Guest guest]

Teresa,

 

So my question is to the experienced chinese

> speakers, is the Mandarin dialect one that will be helpful in

studying the

> classics? I remember when I was in China there were many dialects.

>

 

The written language that you'll be exposed to

in your class is the same for all of the spoken

dialects, one of the curious aspects of Chinese.

One character may have dozens of pronounciations,

but people in all parts of China can read and

understand its meanings.

 

This holds true for the great bulk of the

written script of the Chinese language,

and certainly the material you cover in

your class in Mandarin will provide you

with a foundation for progressing into

medical language.

 

If you have the time and inclination,

pleasse let us know how it goes. I'm particularly

interested to know of anything that you find

either particularly helpful or particularly

troublesome as you progress.

 

Thanks,

 

Ken

[Guest guest]

Hi Teresa

 

The class you take will expose you to simplified Chinese characters. All the

various dialects use the same written language. When I first got to Taiwan I

thought it was strange to see Chinese language with programs, with Chinese

subtitles. It is for this very reason, that people speak different dialects,

but read the same characters.

 

Well, it is almost true to say the Chinese all read the same characters. In

mainland China they use simplified. In Hong Kong, Taiwan, and most overseas

Chinese communities, they use the traditional characters.

 

Learning the simplified characters will give you access to much of what

comes from mainland China. It's a good place to start.

 

Good luck with your studies. jia1 you2!!

 

Michael

 

______________________

 

Message: 1

Thu, 13 Dec 2001 23:50:24 -0800

" Teresa Hall " <Teresa.bodywork4u

Mandarin Class Question

 

Hi group!

 

With all the discussion of Chinese Language learning... I decided to enroll

in a junior college Chinese Mandarin Language class. I realize I will not

get to much Medical stuff, however should get exposure to the tones and

other language symantics. So my question is to the experienced chinese

speakers, is the Mandarin dialect one that will be helpful in studying the

classics? I remember when I was in China there were many dialects.

 

Thanks for any help... the class does not begin till January 22, so plenty

time to cancel, if need be. For me, Iwould prefer to take at a public

school... much more economical, for a new practioneer!!! Also, while

getting the Doctorate in ... is appealing on many levels, it

will probably be at least 5 years before I would apply!

 

Thanks and Happy Holidays to all!

 

Teresa