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On 'Give up the fight to learn'

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-18 08:55

Three reasons to totally agree with Holden

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On 'Give up the fight to learn' Give up the fight to learn

Firstly, to make money; Of course, you might find some advantage by knowing the Chinese language, but you can always find other people to do this. If you have your business already, find the right people and manage them. Secondly, to understand China; You could waste a lot more energy to learn 100 characters than to track 5,000 years of Chinese history through a translated textbook. The latter would give a much better idea of Chinese life. And thirdly, to date a Chinese girl; You still have the choice to date either someone who speaks English, or someone who doesn't but is willing to be taught by you. That's a lot of girls.

In summary, my advice is to learn it only if you want to, and give up when you don't. Mr Holden obviously doesn't want to, and he seems be doing well look, he writes for China Daily!

Auntie Natty

Learning is best done early

China should be very proud that foreigners don't need to learn Chinese...It is a testament to how developed English is in their society. However, just because we don't need to learn the language doesn't mean we shouldn't. Even learning the basics is good enough, as both a courtesy and compliment to the country that has become our new home. Just like the author, I bought books and copied characters, but it was so difficult that I decided to focus only on oral English. It is best to start young if you want to read and write Chinese.

Steve

Pick up the language and move forwards

Learning or not learning Chinese depends on what you are doing here, just the same as learning or not learning any other local language in any other country. However, you should realize that the key to any culture is language. Knowing how to speak Chinese often helps me solve a lot of problems faster than if I couldn't. Of course, if you don't speak Chinese you are not able to compare...

Chris

Don't give up!

When you can speak the language, you can have the best of both worlds. I can tune in when I want to and make new friends, and tune out when I'm absorbed in my own thoughts.

One fun part about being able to speak Chinese is that most Chinese people assume you can't, and talk about you when you are sitting right next to them (mostly good comments, but sometimes a little prejudice). Surprising them with a word or two in response is fun too.

Forever a foreigner