Learning Chinese Is More Challenging Than I Thought
#1. Writing challenges
- Hard to write small and neat characters
>>> Use
grid notebooks to limit spacing.
- Difficult to copy characters correctly: Handwriting varies
between individuals and even printed books with small characters
>>> Need
to recognize and memorize them.
#2. Speaking and Listening challenges
- The way Chinese is spoken and written is not connected
- No phonetic clues
>>> Must rely entirely on memory
#3. Memory challenges
- Hard to remember characters
>>> The only way is
through constant practice and familiarity.
#4. Grammar challenges
- Chinese grammar is more similar to Vietnamese. It relies on word order, context, and particles to convey meaning. This makes Chinese feel simpler yet more vague.
The pace of my class is too fast, for me as a
beginner! I am learning a new language with a different approach. When
I became accustomed to learning a foreign language (English), I gained
experience in studying and taking exams. I hope to become a smarter and quicker learner this time.
My passion for Chinese never ends. The key is taking action.
PS. #1. The costume I am wearing is from Qing Dynasty China. Specifically, I'm playing a character from the movie called The luckiest man（天下無雙吉祥如意 --- Như ý Cát Tường） , a film I used to watch as a child. #2. I also wrote a poem using mostly Chinese-derived Vietnamese words to help the character express her longing for her love. However, I don't have the insight to translate Chinese-derived Vietnamese into English. Below is the poem, with Chinese-derived words in bold and underlined.
Đêm khuya thanh vắng mình thiếp nơi chốn này
Lật những dòng ký ức tương tư nhớ tới chàng
Lòng tự hỏi người ở phương xa có hay chăng
Nghĩ về thiếp, về chuyện tình đôi ta?
Dẫu vẫn biết tình mình thật quá đỗi mong manh
Nhưng thiếp nguyện một lòng son sắt chờ chàng
Để chúng ta cùng nhau kết duyên nên
Một chuyện tình như mơ mà thiếp vẫn hằng mong.
Google translated:
Late at night, I'm alone in this place
Turn over the lines of memories, thinking of you
My heart wonders if the person far away knows
Thinking about me, about our love story?
Although I know our love is so fragile
But I vow to wait for you with all my heart
So that we can be together and become a couple
A dreamlike love story that I've always longed for.
Hanoi, February 21, 2025
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