General Discussion and Useful Links > Ask An Experienced Member

Re: Need suggestions for learning or communicating in Chinese

<< < (3/5) > >>

Martin:
Oiler already asked this in his question, but I will ask again...is there an electronic pocket translator that talks in Mandarin?

Zhifang had her translator, but it only spoke in English, so when we would ride the train, she would practice with it.  I wanted to find something similar that actually spoke in Mandarin.

While Chong's book was great, if there was something out there that actually gave the tones, it would help a lot in learning the language.

Rhonald:
Martin, I will ask my girl - I could be wrong but I believe her pocket translator spoke in both languages.

Philip:
Hi Martin,
my Besta CD 869 speaks Mandarin words or phrases at me after I have found the written translation in Mandarin and Pinyin. ($300 from Ebay) Nice bit of kit.

Irishman:
Martin - http://www.pleco.com/products.html
I got a Htc Tytn 2 phone on ebay and it speaks the language, has character recognition, and when I go back there I'll stick my China Mobile sim in and call Ling and...

RC Campbell:
..There are a lot of programs out there, and many get good reviews.....

..I was lucky, on my first visit to Chengdu, I went to a electronics mall with a translator from the ChnLove agency, and found the electric dictionary, that was easy to use and it speaks both english for her and Mandarin for me to pratice.....After I found the one I liked, and I was able to get three of the vendors to bid against each other, I told them I would buy 2 units and pay cash, and bottom line I bought 2 translators, for about $175.00 American....The starting price was more than $500.00.....
I do not know the name brand because the box and the instructions and everything is in chinese but the model # is (V660)
I had one set to chinese for her and one set to translate english for me...They come with charger and everything, and has a battery as big as my cell phone.......

..About three months before my first trip to China, I signed up for the Rosetta Stone Language learning system, everyone told me it was too expensive, but instead of buying the program I signed up for the online course,as a currant subscriber, I can logon to the site and pratice anytime or anywhere, and the program teaches the tones and you speak into the headset and the program tells you if you say it right or wrong.....And the price is not that bad if you sign up this way.....

..I have skype so when, I will chat online with my sisters, and call them with skype, and they will teach me how to say what I type in english, And I will teach them how to say what is typed in english.....It is a great way to learn and easier to misspeak with a sister than with a lover.....

..Just remember...Where there is a will there is a way.....And keep looking at the reward you will get, for all the work you put into learning a new way to comminucate with the new family you will have.....Just find what works for you and don't give up......

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page