New guy
zackorsky
October 16, 2009, 04:19 PM posted in General DiscussionIs this a journal or what? I'm probably not going to be real faithful about chronicling my uphill battle with Chinese. However, I will say this: Chinese is a cruel master. Having made real gains through hours of study and practice, I am now resolved to invest a good chunk of the next 10 years into approaching that high level of fluency we all dream of.
Is it worth it? Certainly not from the standpoint of what physical gain/advantages Chinese fluency will get me. But for me it certainly is worth it from the standpoint of life enrichment that comes with learning a foreign language. In addition, it seems I've acquired quite a taste for pain, as studying Chinese has become one of my favorite hobbies. The more I near fluency, the more I find value in trying to master the next 汉字 or 成语.
So for those about to talk, we salute you.
zackorsky
October 21, 2009, 04:15 PMThanks, Brick, for the nudge toward yet another OCD symptom! If I ever do get my Greek up to snuff I will definitely consider taking the plunge into Latin. It's just that in the last few years my desk has become a flophouse for half read books.
BEBC
October 22, 2009, 07:44 PMSo you're no stranger to the world of pain !?! Don't mention it. HaHa. Ancient Greek or Modern ? I've recently been toying with the idea of taking up Homeric Greek, but it's been many moons since my schooldays, and I've forgotten all I learned. Use it or lose it, I suppose. Didn't like Latin, but Greek was enchanting, despite being even more damnable to learn.
mark
October 23, 2009, 05:51 AMIn two years and eight months from now, I will tell you if ten years is enough, for me, at least.
bodawei
October 23, 2009, 06:27 AMI first decided to learn Chinese when I was in my early fifties. I figured I had about fifty years left and I should make good use of it.
Actually, before that point in my life I had not had the slightest inclination to do such a thing. I had no particular interest in the country or culture.
franky11
October 23, 2009, 03:28 PMWell,I'm just a Chinese guy,and if you have any question about Chinese,anything,you can ask me,I will try my best to help you.
Chinese is a difficult language,I must say.
Have a fun day~
zackorsky
October 31, 2009, 02:21 PMBrick-It was the Biblical Koine. I guess it was the common man's Greek in its day, so I'm not sure whether the language itself would be as enchanting as the classic stuff. I'll bet Homer and the classics kick all kinds of keester in the original, but I can promise you I'll never know firsthand!
Mark- So where do you think you are now after 7 and 1/2 years? I'll bet you're 讲-ing some mega 话 by now.
Bodawei- Hope your next fifty are rocking.
BEBC
October 16, 2009, 05:38 PMFor the extremes of exquisite pain we should also submit to Latin; this generations of sadistic schoolmasters have known.
Morituri te salutant !