I’m learning Chinese. I had my first lesson last night, on the 21st floor of a downtown office building on LaSalle Street, here in Chicago. The class was filled with people much younger than I am. Considerably younger. The teacher’s name is Andy. He’s China-born, spent I think he said 18 years in Beijing. He’s been teaching Chinese for twenty years.
Great: Chinese is like yoga for the mouth and tongue. I tried it once in Hong Kong but gave up Mandarin when I discovered Cantonese was the local lingua franca, you should excuse the term, and Cantonese has FOURTEEN tones!
Ni hao! Everyone says that Chinese is so difficult. Don't be intimidated! I listened to Mandarin language tapes during my daily commute for six weeks ahead of a trip to China years ago. It was time well spent. I lwas able to learn just enough to be able to bargain in the shops and order drinks. All the essentials! I'm sure I butchered the language, but the locals were delighted that I was making an effort. It seemed to work. I got good deals in the shops and when I ordered two beers, voila! Beers appeared!
Wow, Richard! I'm impressed and envious! Asian languages seem so daunting, and well, foreign. Your daring and curiosity are encouraging. Let's learn Chinese!!
Fabulous!
I find languages fascinating as well. Thanks for sharing, Richard!
And thanks for reading, Jolina!
Great: Chinese is like yoga for the mouth and tongue. I tried it once in Hong Kong but gave up Mandarin when I discovered Cantonese was the local lingua franca, you should excuse the term, and Cantonese has FOURTEEN tones!
Nancy, you have been everywhere!
Not quite. Seldom below the equator though I've been to Argentina and Chile but briefly in both cases.
Ni hao! Everyone says that Chinese is so difficult. Don't be intimidated! I listened to Mandarin language tapes during my daily commute for six weeks ahead of a trip to China years ago. It was time well spent. I lwas able to learn just enough to be able to bargain in the shops and order drinks. All the essentials! I'm sure I butchered the language, but the locals were delighted that I was making an effort. It seemed to work. I got good deals in the shops and when I ordered two beers, voila! Beers appeared!
Wow! If I go to China, you have to tell me how to order a beer!
走吧，理查德！
Haha
Richard, you never cease to amaze. Bravo! But please, don't forget your wonderful English.
I'll try not to!
Wow, Richard! I'm impressed and envious! Asian languages seem so daunting, and well, foreign. Your daring and curiosity are encouraging. Let's learn Chinese!!
Ok!
Richard, I love this. You are an inspiration. At 84, I shall now try to learn Italian. Much easier, but at my age, anything is a challenge.
Buona fortuna, Marilyn!
Grazie, Richard