MamaBearTeacher Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 From what I understand there is Traditional and Simplified Mandarin. How different are they? Is it easier to learn one after you have learned the other? Where and how are they used and which one would be more useful for a North American to learn? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garddwr Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Simplified is used in mainland China, traditional in Taiwan. What you choose should depend on how and where you want to use the language. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 If you want to swap at a later date, it will mean relearning a lot of characters. I have done this twice (started with simplified in Mainland China, moved to Taiwan and learned complex, moved back to Mainland China and relearned simplified. I don't recommend it. Given the economic power of Mainland China, I'd learn simplified. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverland Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 My dd's Mandarin teacher is from Taiwan, but she teaches simplified. I always assumed it was because simplified is more useful, but I should ask! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBearTeacher Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 Thanks! Is the spoken language more similar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garddwr Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Thanks! Is the spoken language more similar? Traditional versus Simplified refers only to the characters, the spoken language is essentially the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 Thanks! Is the spoken language more similar? The difference between Taiwan and mainland spoken Mandarin is akin to the difference between New England English and Texan English: it's a question of accent and some vocabulary, but it's essentially the same language. The two Chinese regimes have only been separate for about sixty years, after all. The difference in the written language came about due to a specific policy to make literacy more widespread in mainland China under Mao, by making the written language easier to learn. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest beebor Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 (edited) I did simplified, and although languages are my thing, it was hard enough to learn. Why make it complicated, when the simplified Mandarin is what most people write and speak? Edited May 21, 2012 by beebor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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