GeekGlots

I normally am lazy when it comes to finding vocabulary words in Mandarin + French. Like I mean, I want useful vocabulary words. No just some kind of random words I probably am going to use one to two time during the week. So, I decided to start with the basic. Basics introduction words + sentences: 

Chinese (Mandarin): 

Day 1: 你好!- NIHAO-  Hello!

FORMAL SITUATIONS: 

早上好。 - zaoshang hao- good morning. 

你好吗？- nihao ma? - how are you? 

很好/ 不好 - hen hao/ bu hao - it's going well/ it’s going bad. 

一般 - yi ban - so-so. 

晚上好。- wanshang hao- good evening. 

我的名子是 - wo-de mingzi shi... - my name is... 

很高兴认识你。- hen gaoxing renshi ni -pleased to meet you.

在见。- Zaijian - goodbye. 

晚安。 - wan an - good night. 

明天见 。- mingtian jian - see you tomorrow. 

QUIZLET LINK: https://quizlet.com/au/497743473/mandarin-greetings-flash-cards/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

French: 

Day 1: Bonjour!

Bonjour, Mademoiselle. (Madame/Monsieur) - Hello,/Good morning, Miss. (Madam, Ma'am/Sir) 

Salut, ça va? - Hi, how are you? (informal) 

ça va bien. /ça ba mal. - It's going well./It's going badly. 

Comment allez-vous?- How are you? (formal)

Comment vas-tu? - How are you? (familiar)

Très bien, merci, et vous (et toi)? - Fine, thanks. And you?

Pas mal, merci, et vous (et toi)? - Not bad, thanks. And you?

Comme ci, comme ça - so-so!

Bonsoir - Good evening 

Bonne nuit - Good night. (when departing) 

Je m'appelle... - My name is ... 

Comment vous appelez-vous? - What is your name? (formal)

Enchanté(e) - Pleased to meet you (f) 

Merci beaucoup - Thank you very much

De rien - You're welcome

Au revoir - Goodbye

À bientot - See you soon.

QUIZLET LINK: https://quizlet.com/au/458649780/french-greetings-1-flash-cards/

This is not a gif made by me!

大家好！

My goals is to study two languages for a year. If I don't feel satisfied with my language improvements by the end of the year, I possibly give it an extra year. As well, my main goal is to be able to communicate effectively with native speakers with slangs and jokes. So I must consider the following: 

Listening 

Grammar 

Vocabulary 

Pronunciation and fluency 

Culture and morals

Writing devices 

Reading comprehension 

I don't want to complicate my life. I would like to make each part as easy and effective as possible. So, because language must be a constant practice. It should have short session everyday as well to use it as much as possible or when I have an opportunity with a person who uses the language. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if my friends would have the time to speak with me everyday. However, I can read aloud a piece of lyrics or poetry from my targeting language. I can listen and practice pronunciation. Furthermore, I can journal in my target language to practice the writing. For example, writing three positive daily sentences about my day. Journalling also includes practicing grammar. About vocabulary, I can learn 20 per day. It would end for 140 words each week. Finally, learning about culture and morals could possibly be watching native Chinese Youtubers. Some of them may not offer morals or culture, but the idea is to incorporate with the trends and slangs in my target language. 

The tools and resources I'm going to use for learning Mandarin:  

Vocabulary - HSK vocabulary list. 

Pronunciation and fluency - Chinese lyrics. 

Culture and morals- Youtubers. (I’ll check them out).

Writing devices - Daily journal / Textbook guide and HSK level. 

Reading & listening comprehension - Chinese lyrics / podcasts/ tv shows. 

I possibly change my choices, so I’ll let you know later on. 

I’ve been keeping up an eye to see which language would be more useful. I know people mention to start with a language that we are passionate about. However, I know some people that studied Japanese, but rarely use it in our country. Sometimes I ask them if they are ever going to travel or live Japan. However, they just mentioned regrets and self-lower themselves because making the decision of studying Japanese than Chinese. Don’t get me wrong, I plan to study Japanese pretty soon because I'm in love with the culture. However, I need to get use to this new language lifestyle. I plan to study Chinese (Mandarin) and this are the reasons why: 

In our local area, I notice a lot of Asians students and elderly people walking and passing by. I could possibly communicate with them. My parents recommend to study Chinese because of business opportunities. I keep trying to convince them that Japanese is also beneficial for business opportunities like any other language. Currently, the Coronavirus situation is going out of control and possibly I could be able to read the Chinese news. As mentioned before, I have Chinese friends, possibly I could get closer to them and communicate in their mother-tongue language. I have some family Chinese members. I have other reasons, I just forgot. So I believe this are enough reasons to learn Chinese. 

I got recommendations from friends that when Chinese learners try to communicate with native speakers, they feel kind of triggered because some of the leaners pretend to know Chinese perfectly and won't like when they try to fix there mistakes. Also, because they trying to show they are more intellectual than Chinese people. So, I must be careful and tolerate when the Chinese Native speakers correct me time to time. 

Please, fix me if I'm wrong, I’m looking for current information. Hope you have a nice day. 再见！

Like any other journey, it is necessary to know the reason why to start it. When I take a journey, I expect something in return. This includes an important lesson that would change my perspective of the world, or a mental and physical change in my life. However, why would I even dare to torture myself to study a language that possibly I won't use? 

Well, I’m a person who is living in a multicultural society. Also one of the places where tourists often come to visit. You do not want to know how many awkward encounters I’ve got with residents and foreigners. Sometimes some expect help (which I would gladly do) and others expect guide (normally people who are elder or disable), but they come to me, and speak in a complete different language. I’m like wishing for them to learn how to speak English, but I've noticed is hard for them (obviously, because of there disabilities). However, I encounter the same problem with some tourists. I’m happy some of the tourists try their best to pronounce and learn the language. This motivates to learn their language so I can help the people that constantly ask for help. 

OTHER big reason to study a foreign language is to be able to communicate with my colleagues, which more are from China and France. Sadly, I feel excluded from the English speakers, hopefully I’ll know why? but this motivates me to explore different cultures. I have a Chinese friend who is studying Japanese. Later, I found out she plans to visit Japan leading her to show me Manga and Anime. I totally felt in love with the weird and encouraging lessons explored throughout the chapters. I even explored their music and styles. I felt in love with the Japanese creative industry, food, morals and places. 

So what do I expect to gain from this language experience?