Writing in Chinese

The Pen Matters - Doubting to shuo

The other day in class, my Chinese teacher told my class that we would all have to learn how to read Chinese, and not rely on pinyin. I think everyone in class (including me) groaned. Then I thought of it as a quaint challenge (and we all know how I react to challenges).

I think Westerners find languages that use non-Roman letters difficult precisely because the writing looks strange to them. Written Chinese is so complex as to stroke order and proportions that I think Westerners (and especially Americans) are intimidated into not learning the writing system.

Then I think of the "cool factor" of visiting China or Taiwan; if I'm fully able to communicate with the people around me, and to pick up information from, say, maps and/or road signs, then I would enjoy the visit so much more. I wouldn't be frustrated by the language barrier.

Even though I'm quite frustrated over my character workbook, at least I have a purpose for torturing myself with it. Maybe that will make me more motivated to do my homework well, and eventually be happy about having an assignment to work on.