Is it possible to be able to read Chinese language without knowing the language?

Is it possible to be able to read Chinese language without knowing the language?
Jun 30, 2010 01:58
KOCO Points: Join Date: Jun 30, 2010 Status: offline	This is such a cool question. Yes it is possible though NOT because of the originally pictorial nature of the script, since the meanings of almost all characters are not now apparent from their shapes, i.e., they are not pictures anymore. However, it is possible, and in fact this is what I did when I studied Chinese language many years ago. I actually had a Chinese book, two copies, and would sit with a friend, who was a professor of Chinese language, and read out to him in English what I thought it all meant. He was completely against this, but Chinese professors are taught that this is not the way to learn, but it worked very well indeed. The only thing you do need is a little basic Chinese grammar because the order and construction of things is often not the same as in English

Jun 30, 2010 01:58

KOCO
Points:
Join Date: Jun 30, 2010
Status: offline

This is such a cool question. Yes it is possible though NOT because of the originally pictorial nature of the script, since the meanings of almost all characters are not now apparent from their shapes, i.e., they are not pictures anymore. However, it is possible, and in fact this is what I did when I studied Chinese language many years ago. I actually had a Chinese book, two copies, and would sit with a friend, who was a professor of Chinese language, and read out to him in English what I thought it all meant. He was completely against this, but Chinese professors are taught that this is not the way to learn, but it worked very well indeed. The only thing you do need is a little basic Chinese grammar because the order and construction of things is often not the same as in English

Jul 2, 2010 20:56	#1
GUESTDAVE	how is your Chinese now?

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