Tests
royalbengal
August 15, 2011, 07:39 PM posted in General DiscussionHow does one respond to the dictation part of the self tests? I have tried responding to the dictation in English and in Pinyin (without tone numbers). Each time they are counted wrong, even when I know I heard correctly.
royalbengal
Thanks, that solves my initial problem. I would to prefer to use Simplified characters rather than Pinyin, although I can appreciate using Pinyin will force me to use proper tones. I have figured out a laborious cut-and-paste method for putting Chinese characters into the answers but am wondering if there is another, more efficient, way to write Chinese characters, not only for the dictation answers but also for this forum.
everett
I was looking for a way to input Chinese characters and started googling and so on, only to find out it was already built into my mac. It took a few minutes to configure, and now you can toggle to a setting where if you type pinyin you get alternative characters to choose from in a little window. It's very convenient. I'm not sure if Windows has it native or if you have to download it. But in my opinion, that system is the best way to go.
I spent several years cutting and pasting from google translate or a dictionary site.
babyeggplant
I'm also using a mac have probably used the input you are talking about. Although it's faster than copying and pasting from a dictionary, it was still a pain for me to have to go and select each and every character. If you download a pinyin input software, most of them are much easier and faster to use. Basically it can guess what you are typing with a fair amount of accuracy, so you spend less time selecting characters. I use qim http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/21836/qim . Sougou pinyin input is pretty good for windows as well, but I believe the installation instructions may be in Chinese.
babyeggplant
what OS are you using? If you're on windows, here's a guide. http://classes.yale.edu/chns130/typingtutorials/index.html
everett
Thanks, I'll check that out. IME The input window that comes with my mac also does a pretty good job of guessing. Pretty much all two-character words come up as first or second choice, and many longer words and phrases come up right. I actually have to try to avoid using this to "cheat" when doing the tests on CP :-)
jennyzhu
August 16, 2011, 03:18 PMDo you mean dictation in each lesson page or placement or level tests? In any case, they work the same way. First, choose how you how to answer, whether it's Pinyin, Simplified or Traditional characters. The options are on top right of the lesson test or a drop down box for placement and level tests. Then, play the audio and type in Pinyin, Simplified or Traditional characters based on what you have chosen. Please note that when you type in Pinyin, use numbers to indicate tones, e.g. ni3hao3. I have to say it's hard to get the Pinyin correct because you have to be absolutely spot on with tones such as neutral tones, which should be marked with the number 5. After submitting you answer, you will be shown the correct answers in Pinyin, Simplified or Traditional characters. If you have chosen to use Pinyin, compare the correct answer against yours, sometimes it's a minor issue in one tone out of an entire sentence, but you are still considered wrong. It happens to me a lot. But it's like having a strict teacher whom you are grateful towards later. Let me know if it works.