Passage II
Oh Chinese, This Tortured Language
I’ve been wrestling with Chinese off and on for ten years now. Ten years---that‘s one-third of my life.I throw in the “off and on” partly because that explains my still-existing weaknesses with this language.“I’m sorry that I have no idea what you are saying. It‘s just that I’ve been studying off and on, you see.” A very convenient excuse .
In 1987 I began studying Chinese at a University in the States. I had already learned French and German and wanted something a bit more challenging. The first year I had a very good teacher, who came from Suzhou, and I made some progress. But it was nothing compared to what I had to face when I arrived in Taiwan for the first time.The teachers made us all memorize an average of 20 or 30 new characters every week,a pace so quickthat soon I began to forget Chinese characters faster than I could remember them. However, I survived,
and I think Taiwan left a good impression on me. Otherwise,I would have given up on this tortured language a long time ago.
When I returned home and went back to college, I continued and began to make headway once more, much quicker than under the eye of my old Taiwanese taskmasters. Chinese grammar was not at all trying, but the characters and their pronunciations could be terrible. Chinese characters are not written with an alphabet, making it very hard for a lot of Westerners to remember.
Another catch is the existence of many proverbs and phrases in modern Chinese that have been carried over from classical Chinese writings. If you know nothing of classical Chinese, your eventual understanding of proper Chinese may be difficult. So I’ve spared no efforts in reading the greats of contemporary Chinese literature so as to improve my language. Many people now tell me that I talk like a book.
Many foreign students also complain about the four tones used in the Chinese language.However, I’ve never had much difficulty, and many Chinese who have spoken with me always say that mypronunciation is just like that of a native. I know they are simply being polite.
I’ve been in Beijing for three years. So I have to use Chinese to survive, and that is no small motivation.Now I'm trying to read up on Lu Xun and works by other famous writers. Though I often have to consult a dictionary, my reading speed is not terribly slow.
As more and more people express an interest in learning Chinese, I have already been down this very interesting road for years and intend to carry on.
Difficult Sentences
1. (Para. 1) I throw in the “off and on” partly because that explains my still-existing weakness with this language.
because that 引导原因状语从句 ；“partly” adv. 部分地
“That” is pron, referring to “off and on”
Translation
我抛出“断断续续”这个词，一半儿是因为它说明我学习这种语言依然有困难。
Example
I dislike this place partly because it is too humid in summer.
2. (Para. 1) I’m sorry that I have no idea what you are saying, it's just that I’ve been studying off and on, you see.
“what you are saying” is post-modifier of the noun “idea” ，it's just that means “it's just because”
“you see” is a comment clause
Translation
对不起，我不知道你在说什么，因为你知道，我只是断断续续地在学。
Example
I’m sorry that I cannot make it, it‘s just that I’ve been busy these days, you see.
3. (Para. 2) But it was nothing compared to what I had to face when I arrived in Taiwan for the first time.
“it” refers to “the Chinese the author learned in the States”
Translation
但是与我第一次到台湾所要面对的情况相比, 这简直算不了什么。
Example
He is working ten hours a day now. But it was nothing compared to what he used to do when he was a farmer.
4. (Para. 2) The teachers made us all memorize an average of 20 or 30 new characters every week, a pace so quick that soon I began to forget Chinese characters faster than I could remember them.
Translation
老师让我们所有的人平均每周记住20 到30个生字, 这种速度太快了, 很快我就开始忘的比记的还快了。
Example
The boss made him work out a complicated website design within three days, a requirement so unrealistic that he soon began to be less motivated than he used to be.
5. (Para. 2) Otherwise, I would have given up on this tortured language a long time ago.
Otherwise adv. 否则 ；would have given up: subjunctive mood
Translation
否则我早就会放弃学习这门折磨人的语言了
Example
Otherwise, she would have gone abroad a long time ago.
6. (Para. 3) When I returned home and went back to college, I continued and began to make headway once more, much quicker than under the eye of my old Taiwanese taskmasters.
Translation
回国之后, 我又重返校园继续学习,并且再一次开始取得进步,比我在台湾那些老监工们的督促之下取得的进步快多了。
Example
When he finished his training in computer programming, he changed his job and began to make money, much more than with the previous company.
7. (Para. 3) Chinese characters are not written with an alphabet, making it very hard for a lot of Westerners to remember.
are not written with: passive voice structure
making… :present participle clause
Translation
汉字不用字母, 这使许多西方人感到它非常难记。
Example
The application was written with a pen, making it very easy for the interviewer to read.
8. (Para. 4) Another catch is the existence of many proverbs and phrases in modern Chinese that have been carried over from classical Chinese writings.
have been carried over ：the present perfect form of the phrasal verb carry over in its passive voice
Translation
另外的一个难点是现代汉语中有许多从古汉语中遗留下来的谚语和词组。
Example
You can find many virtues in him that have been passed down from generation to generation.
9. (Para. 5) However, I’ve never had much difficulty, and many Chinese who have spoken with me always say that my pronunciation is just like that of a native.
who引导定语从句；“that ”is a pronoun, referring to the pronunciation
Translation
然而,这方面我从未有很多困难。 跟我交谈过的中国人总是说我的发音很地道。
Example
The local people who are working with me say that my working style is just like that of theirs.
10. (Para. 5) I know they are simply being polite.
“are…being” used in present continuous, emphasizing the action is in process
Translation
我知道他们只是在说客气话而已。
Example
Whatever I suggest, he always says “No!”. I realize he is being against me.
Important Words
convenient adj. suited to one's needs 方便的，舒适的
e.g. It is convenient to go shopping since it is only a five-minute walk away from the supermarket.
Is it convenient to you that we meet at 2 o’clock this afternoon?
excuse n.the reason, whether true or untrue, given when asking to be forgiven for wrong behavior 理由，借口
e.g. Do you have any excuse for being so late again?
This is only his excuse, I am sure he knows where she's been.
excuse v. 原谅
challenging adj. causing competitive interest, action, or thought, esp. because new, unusual, or difficult 有挑战性的
e.g. Life as a housewife does not seem very challenging to the highly educated girl.
It is quite challenging for the man to study the foreign language at such an old age.
compare v. examine or judge (one thing) against another in order to show the points of likeness or difference 比较
compare … with … 拿……和……相比较
e.g. Compared with Tony, Timmy is more active and talkative.
Why are you always comparing me with her, we are simply different.
average n. 平均数; 平常
adj. found by making an average; of the usual or ordinary kind 平均的；平常的
e.g. The average of 3, 8 and 10 is 7.
On average we get 100 emails each day.
impression n. the image a person or thing gives to someone's mind, esp. as regards its strength or quality 印象
e.g. He left an extremely nice impression on his boss.
What's your first impression of the guy?
impress vt.留下印象
catch n. a hidden problem or difficulty in a plan or course of action 问题，蹊跷
e.g. That house is for sale very cheaply; there must be a catch in it somewhere.
There is a catch in your plan, we must think it over.
catch vt.
classical adj. traditional in form, style, or content 古典的，传统的
e.g. Classical style of Chinese writing is very popular among students.
I prefer classical music to pop songs.
spare v. keep from using, spending, etc. 爱惜，舍不得，节省
e.g. Nothing was spared to make sure the guest enjoyed themselves.
She spared no trouble to help the poor boy out.
consult v. go to (a person, book, etc.) for information, advice, an opinion. 请教，参考/查阅（书籍）, 咨询
e.g. Have you consulted your doctor about your illness?
If your baby is losing weight, you should consult professionals.