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Learning Chinese - an encouraging video | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Specific Languages |  | |
 Keith Diglot Moderator JapanRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 6776 days ago 526 posts - 536 votes  1 sounds Speaks: English*, Japanese Studies: Mandarin Personal Language Map | Message 33 of 62 16 September 2007 at 9:38am | IP Logged | ||||||||
I have to point out that I asked that question before Julien arrived on the scene. You make it sound like I was attacking him because he showed up here, which is certainly not the case. I do not belittle people's accomplishments. My comment was actually in reference to what kinoko was curious about.
So, I did not ask the question to put down Julien. My question was not in reference to him but instead to the ability to become so good at Chinese. I think word order and expressions play a big part in learning to think in a foreign language and to be able to express yourself. The word order in Chinese is closer to that of English, whereas Japanese is usually the reverse order and usually drops the subject. Pronunciation is just one hurdle to get over. Everytime you speak you use pronunciation. So basically you have a good chance to master it. I don't wish to elaborate here since this is not what this thread is about. I'm very glad to see someone like Julien who has reached the native level. I know it will encourage a lot more people to try. I think it is great that he has joined the forum. We are all inspired by him. We have certainly learned about his tenacious study methods. That is what it takes if you want to go far and fast. I look forward to hearing more from him. Thanks Julien for joining the forum. 2 persons have voted this message useful | |||||||||
| krtek Groupie United States Joined 7109 days ago 46 posts - 50 votes Speaks: Mandarin* Studies: English, Italian, Cantonese | Message 34 of 62 16 September 2007 at 11:45am | IP Logged | ||||||||
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Hi Julien, have you ever used the so called "shadowing" method? If yes, did it work for you?
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| Julien Diglot Newbie China Joined 6279 days ago 12 posts - 47 votes Speaks: French*, Mandarin | Message 35 of 62 16 September 2007 at 12:19pm | IP Logged | ||||||||
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I'm not sure if I know exactly what it is, but it seems that unconsciously I've done that more or less. My guess it that like many methods I would gain a lot from it, but also after intense training for a while I would notice its shortcomings and begin to practice on something else.
Anyway I'd be grateful if someone could explain it to me more precisely. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||||||||
| furyou_gaijin Senior Member Japan Joined 6385 days ago 540 posts - 631 votes Speaks: Latin* | Message 36 of 62 16 September 2007 at 3:17pm | IP Logged | ||||||||
This is probably the most inspirational thread on this forum I have seen so far. And the above quotes are so true they should be written in big letters in some sticky FAQ on this forum. Regarding the speed of learning in the country, I have actually noticed how true it was for a language like Japanese. When learning it from a book, there is a tendency to stop ever so frequently and to complain about a particular point being illogical, out of line with everything else, etc. When in the country, there is no time to complain. There is no time to stop and try to figure out things logically. So one just has to remember this point and move on, because the situation has moved on. This is so different from learning from a book... Glad to see you here, Julien. 3 persons have voted this message useful | |||||||||
| maxb Diglot Senior Member Sweden Joined 7182 days ago 536 posts - 589 votes 7 sounds Speaks: Swedish*, English Studies: Mandarin | Message 37 of 62 17 September 2007 at 1:10am | IP Logged | ||||||||
I guess the simplest way to explain it is that when practicing pronounciation with recordings, instead of speaking after the recording you speak simultaneously along with the recording, focusing on matching your speech rhythm with that of the recording. Have you used this technique? I would also like to know how much deliberate tone study you have done? Do you find that you can rely on imitation alone when learning new vocabulary in chinese or do you feel a need to analyze and remember tones of new words? 1 person has voted this message useful | |||||||||
| Julien Diglot Newbie China Joined 6279 days ago 12 posts - 47 votes Speaks: French*, Mandarin | Message 38 of 62 18 September 2007 at 9:47am | IP Logged | ||||||||
I used to skip all the grammar explanations systematically at the beginning and I definitely would still do it now, but I always was aware of each tone, should it be from the book or the dictionary. It is actually hard not to be aware of it, and I guess it kind of helps in a way. And it is even more important in my job to be aware of the perfect Putong hua. However, like any language if you speak too perfectly it's rather hard to sound "local", so listening is far more important, and the more you rely on your ears the greater their ability, and the quicker your reaction will be. About the shadowing technique, I do use it sometimes when I practise on dialects, but I find that you also can do it in your head without actually talking, which is an excellent way to improve your hearing ability. Actually I have two days to learn a big piece of Henan Nanyang dialect right now, so I'm gonna try the technique a little bit more and see how it works. Edited by Julien on 18 September 2007 at 9:51am 3 persons have voted this message useful | |||||||||
| krtek Groupie United States Joined 7109 days ago 46 posts - 50 votes Speaks: Mandarin* Studies: English, Italian, Cantonese | Message 39 of 62 18 September 2007 at 10:00am | IP Logged | ||||||||
Have you already or are you planning to try the more distant and challenging southern dialects, e.g. Shanghai dialect (Wu) and Canton dialect (Cantonese)? 1 person has voted this message useful | |||||||||
| krtek Groupie United States Joined 7109 days ago 46 posts - 50 votes Speaks: Mandarin* Studies: English, Italian, Cantonese | Message 40 of 62 18 September 2007 at 10:02am | IP Logged | ||||||||
I know this is off topic, but could you elaborate a bit on this statement? A few examples would be fine. Thanks. 1 person has voted this message useful |
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