Hi debbie, I don't know if you consider this as KNOWING CHINESE...
by smiley :)
If i remember correctly, you are from Taiwan but moved to USA is it? Anyway, the Chinese I know is quite different from the one you know in some aspects. Ok, its quite hard to explain but I'll try attempting it... The Mandarin that Singapore and Malaysia(I think so too) and maybe some other countries are learning is the SIMPLIFIED form. You know, "jian ti zi?" Thats what we are learning. Whereas the one which you know is "fan ti zi," the complicated form of Chinese which is used in Taiwan, HK, China and probably some other countries too. The simplified form(the one I know :P) is slightly different from the kind you know in that there are lesser strokes and is much easier. However, the meaning of the word DOES NOT change, only the way it is WRITTEN (simpler way with less strokes). Erm, my explanation is probably terrible, but I hope you kind of know what I mean . Therefore, I am unable to read the "fan ti zi(the type of Chinese you know and I don't)" which is more common. At least, you find most of the Chinese sites on the net in Big5 font which is also "fan ti zi." Thus, I am unable to read them cos' I don't even learn the complicated Mandarin in the first place..Heehee:P I mean, I do understand Chinese, but I am UNABLE to READ the complicated type of Chinese. So far, I have only found 1(thats really little :P) site in the simplified form of Chinese. Ok, thats all! Smile always!
p.s. I hope you understand me, I think my explanation's terrible...
Posted on Aug 30, 2002, 8:25 AM from IP address 192.169.41.41
. Therefore, I am unable to read the "fan ti zi(the type of Chinese you know and I don't)" which is more common. At least, you find most of the Chinese sites on the net in Big5 font which is also "fan ti zi." Thus, I am unable to read them cos' I don't even learn the complicated Mandarin in the first place..Heehee:P I mean, I do understand Chinese, but I am UNABLE to READ the complicated type of Chinese. So far, I have only found 1(thats really little :P) site in the simplified form of Chinese. Ok, thats all! Smile always! 